Yasuke the first black samurai

During the 1500’s in Japan during the Sengoku period an Italian missionary came to the country to promote Christianity and had with him an African man who’s name is unknown as his bodyguard and was most likely a mercenary. When they arrived in Japan one of the most important lords in country Oda Nobunaga spotted the African man and was impressed by his size and athleticism. He then asked the missionary if he could have this man work for him as his bodyguard which he did and in a very short period was then trained as a samurai warrior and being the first foreigner to become one and was given the name ‘Yasuke’ and was given gifts from the lord such as a home on his land and servants.

He fought very closely in battle with lord Nobunaga and won many battles but eventually Nobunaga was betrayed by one of his generals. It is believed that the lord performed seppuku on himself during battle and when he died Yasuke most likely took his masters head so that the general could not humiliate the lord and claim true victory.

After that it is unknown what happened to Yasuke but it is believed he was granted safety to return to the Jesuit missionary’s.

In recent years stories, video games and even an animated series has been made about Yasuke and this man’s journey as far fetched as it sounds I found very fascinating.