Is Yasuke a samurai?
Is Yasuke a samurai?
Among the key figures in AC Shadows, I ponder whether Yasuke was just as famous as legendary game shows. What I understand is that Yasuke existed in ancient Japan, though I’m uncertain if he was a samurai.
Historical sources indicate Nobunaga appointed him as a retainer, provided him with a home, and even bestowed a katana—a notable privilege. (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Yasuke) Various narratives suggest he participated in battles with Nobunaga’s troops, though concrete evidence of official samurai rank remains unclear.
Many are disputing the research about him, particularly recently as Thomas Lockey has been linked to studies he aimed to validate—something anyone honest would avoid. It seems people can fabricate claims and cite them as truth in other works. He reportedly altered Wikipedia entries by citing sources that hadn’t been released yet. Lockey even admitted not having his work verified before publication. I believe he likely never existed. The situation feels illogical. In feudal Japan, records would have existed. Some argue this matter is highly significant in Japan, prompting scholars to examine historical documents for clues. So far, researchers have reviewed records of notable samurai and found nothing conclusive, though it doesn’t rule out his possible existence as a slave. In the coming years, we may receive clearer answers, but for now, I think this stems from misinterpretation—blending Indian, Arab, and other groups into a single “dark/black” category—and retroactively defining them in the West only reflects North American perspectives tied to their own history.
Yeah all this seems fishy to me Woke US game company miraculously find one black samurai in Japan noone ever heard about? C'mon..
Yasuke received a financial allowance, a katana adorned with a decorative scabbard, accompanied Oda Nobunaga's arms, was provided a dwelling, and according to Thomas Lockley, he was entitled to at least one attendant. Initially, in the Shinchō Ki, the word 'stipend' referred solely to samurai, covering payments for hire or compensation. A koshō, a lower-ranking samurai, carried weapons belonging to higher-ranking samurai such as daimyos or shōguns. Yasuke was granted a residence, with the rare exception of Jesuit properties being the only non-samurai to receive one. Nobunaga's nephew paid him 10 kanmon, surpassing the yearly earnings of many samurai at that time. Even after Nobunaga dismissed regular troops, Yasuke stayed loyal and fought with a katana at Nijō. The provision of a servant aligns with samurai customs, suggesting he likely had multiple attendants, including pages. In the late Sengoku era, samurai were not limited to hereditary warriors; roles like koshō existed, encompassing a wider group of retainers. Evidence indicates Yasuke was treated as a samurai, acted accordingly, and was respected by other retainers under Nobunaga. It is unlikely he lacked historical documentation; the Maeda version of the Shinchō Ki, written by someone contemporaneous with Nobunaga, supports this view despite being a secondary source. Its reliability places it among primary accounts, reflecting its credibility.
Exploring this idea has always intrigued me, as I've never come across an African samurai in a traditional Japanese world.