Yasuke: The Extraordinary Black Samurai of 16th Century Japan
A Lost History Rediscovered
Amidst the annals of Japan's tumultuous Sengoku period, a remarkable tale emerged circa 1581. It was a tale of an African warrior, known as Yasuke, who rose through the ranks to become a samurai and bodyguard to the powerful warlord, Oda Nobunaga.An African Journey to the Land of the Rising Sun
Little is known about Yasuke's origins, but scholars believe he hailed from Mozambique or Ethiopia. He arrived in Japan aboard a Portuguese slave ship in 1579, where he caught the attention of the renowned Jesuit missionary, Alessandro Valignano. Struck by Yasuke's exceptional height and strength, Valignano introduced him to Nobunaga, who was impressed by the foreigner's skills and made him his personal retainer.
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