Yasuke: The Truth about the African Samurai
Delve into the documented evidence of Yasuke's role and status in Japan. By meticulously examining the available historical records, we shed light on whether Yasuke truly earned the title of samurai.
by A. R. Turner
Yasuke, at this juncture, needs no introduction. The once obscure 16th century historical figure has become a flashpoint in popular media, and a topic argued over with an intensity and ferocity that would make a samurai blush. Well, it's high time the virtual blood-letting cease. Warriors, sheath your swords! Let the feuding be at an end, so that worthy brothers may embrace once more. Here, once and for all, is the definitive truth about Yasuke.
Yasuke has become well known to Westerners of late as 'the African Samurai'. However, this title is bitterly disputed. The first part, 'African', isn't contentious. Whilst Yasuke's exact point of origins are lost to time, it's clear from descriptions that he belonged to a subSaharan ethnic group. The area today known as Mozambique is an oft-quoted preposed homeland for Yasuke.
However, Yasuke's status as 'samurai' is the real issue here. This brief article aims to clarify any confusion upon that point by referencing historical sources.
The Texts:
The first quote we will look at comes from a document called the Ietada Nikki. It is a diary kept by Matsudaira Ietada, a vassal of Tokugawa Ieyasu, from 1575 to 1594. The diary gives a concise account of each day over many years, with topics ranging from epic wars and political struggles, to banalities about the weather. Here's the entry about Yasuke:
上様御ふち候大うす進上申候、くろ男御つれ候、身ハすみノコトク、タケハ六尺 二分、名ハ弥介と云
Oda Nobunaga gave a stipend to a black man presented orginally to him by the missionaries. His body was wholly black, and he stood at six shaku and two (1.82m); name of Yasuke.
The second source we'll look at is from the Sonkeikaku (Maeda Clan) version of the Shinchōkōki ('The Chronicles of Oda Nobunaga'), originally written by Ōta Gyūichi:
然に彼黒坊被成御扶持、名をハ号弥助と、さや巻之のし付幷私宅等迄被仰付、依時御道具なともたさせられ候
This black man called Yasuke was given a stipend, a private residence, &c., and was given a short sword with a decorative sheath. He is sometimes seen in the role of weapon bearer.
黒人は信長様から家臣として召し抱えられて俸禄を得た。名前は弥助とされた。短刀と屋敷なども与えられた。時折、信長様の道具を運ばされた
The black man was made a retainer by Lord Nobunaga and granted a stipend. His name was Yasuke. He was outfitted with a short sword and a house and such. He sometimes would carry tools for Lord Nobunaga.
Was Yasuke a Samurai?
These two passages from the Ietada Nikki and Shinchōkōki (Sonkeikaku-hon) demonstrate that Yasuke received a stipend from Nobunaga, and that Yasuke received a residence from Nobunaga. These facts make it unambiguous that Yasuke was a retainer of Oda Nobunaga. Thus, Yasuke was a samurai.
Don't stop reading!
Now I'll attempt to elucidate the details, the missing context, and hopefully leave you better off for it than when we began.
Legends of the Blade
Prepare to be captivated by the thrilling tales of three legendary Japanese swordsmen. These masters of the blade not only defined the art of swordsmanship but also left an indelible mark on history with their unmatched skills and extraordinary feats. From epic duels and mysterious techniques to profound philosophies and enduring legacies, our in-depth exploration will inspire and enthrall martial arts enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
The Stipend:
Firstly, Yasuke's stipend. Both texts contain the term 'fuchi (ふち・扶持)'. This is a stipend given to samurai by their lords. Throughout the Shinchōkōki the term is used exclusively to refer to stipends given to samurai.
The combination of a stipend and a residence being granted is important in establishing the relationship between Nobunaga and Yasuke. Oda Nobunaga wasn't just in the process of unifying Japan when he died; he was transforming it.
In a trend which would define master-vassal relations for the next three centuries, the Azuchi period, during which Oda Nobunaga ruled most of Japan, was characterised by the transition of bushi (samurai) from small, semi-autonomous landowners to retainers wholly dependent upon and beholden to their liege.
Rather than maintaining small rural plots here and there, bushi were increasingly consolidated into jōkamachi (castle-towns). Their homes would be delineated from the residences of other castes, in orbit around the lord's residence at the centre of the castle. In exchange for giving up their own land, they would be assigned a residence in the jōkamachi by their lord.
Instead of overseeing their own land, bushi would delegate agricultural responsibilities to peasants. The peasants were then taxed (heavily). Everything went to the daimyō (feudal lord), and then he divvied up his income between his retainers. This was a samurai's stipend.
The Sword:
Yasuke, as per the Shinchōkōki, likely not having a weapon of his own, also received a sword from Lord Nobunaga. It was a small sword or koshigatana (sword worn at the hip). This is just my opinion, but I can't imagine that Yasuke would've had much use for it other than in a dire emergency... such as using it to kill himself.
By the way, it's important to remember that the rule about only samurai being allowed - indeed being obliged - to carry two swords came about in the Edo period, so it wouldn't've applied to Yasuke (as an aside, in the Edo period merchants could also buy the privilege of wearing two swords, so it's debatable whether it was really exclusive to samurai).
Yasuke the Page:
Let's turn to the mention in the Shinchōkōki of Yasuke 'bearing tools'. The word 'dōgu (道具)' means 'tools', but it does appear in the context of the original quote to refer to the duties of a sword-bearer. For this reason, historians have suggested that Yasuke likely had the role of a koshō (小姓). A koshō is the Japanese equivalent of a page(boy).
To be clear, there is no document that I know of that explicitely says Yasuke was a koshō. This is our collective assumption, or best guess, as it were. I also need to make this clear: a koshō, though usually a younger man or boy in his teens, was by default a samurai. The heroic Mori Ranmaru, for example, who died alongside Oda Nobunaga, was also Nobunaga's koshō. It was a privileged position and many koshō would go on to be high ranking samurai
and daimyō. Only a samurai could be a koshō.
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Yasuke the Retainer:
Other terms which have been applied to Yasuke but don't actually appear in the original source materials above are 'kashin (家臣)' and 'kerai (家来)'. These words both mean 'retainer', and, again, necessarily refer to samurai. These sometimes appear in transliterations about Yasuke as a reading aid for modern people familiar with historical terminology. They are inferred from context, but I think it's important to be clear about what the original texts do and do not say. Again, there is no issue about whether or not these terms apply to samurai; they necessarily do.
Bushi in Transition:
Bushi were an entire class of people. Most bushi were born with bushi status, but in the turbulent Sengoku period, many of the lower born non-bushi, through cunning, grit and opportunism, transitioned classes. You may have heard before of a certain son of an ashigaru (foot soldier / peasant conscript) who went on to become regent of all Japan.
Many, many samurai also reverted to farming during this period and were disenfranchised of their bushi status. Big names like Oda Nobunaga juggled enfranchising talented up-and-comers with appeasing long-time loyalists who weren't always acquiescent about having new competition for promotions and stipends. If a samurai found himself on the losing side of a battle, or fell out of favour with his lord, he might lose his way of life.
It is also important to remember that whilst bushi were expected to fight and die for their lord, not all bushi were expert fighters or saw personal combat. Bushi occupied many roles both on and off the battlefield. A good daimyō would put his retainers in roles where they were most able to exert their talents, though many positions became hereditary over time.
Yasuke the Samurai:
Whilst we may collectively have a somewhat romanticised notion of what a samurai should be, a samurai was, technically speaking, defined by his relationship to a feudal lord. When it comes to Yasuke, there are several qualities he may have possessed which prompted Nobunaga to enfranchise him by making him his retainer. However, Yasuke's status as a samurai was not dependent upon martial arts training, family lineage, time spent in Japan,
feats of strength, his African heritage, his former experiences, or even his command of the Japanese language; his status as samurai was determined only by his relationship with Nobunaga.
And it should be noted that Yasuke wasn't just any retainer, he was - it's pretty clear - a kinshin (近臣), wherein '臣' means 'retainer' and '近' means 'close' or 'near'. Yasuke was a close retainer of Nobunaga, an attendant - and likely page - in the generalissimo's entourage, or inner circle.
What did Yasuke do?
I haven't touched on them yet, prioritising Japanese documentation, but there are also Jesuit accounts of Yasuke. I don't read 16th century Portuguese, but these accounts would imply Yasuke knew at least some Japanese, and was able to converse with Oda Nobunaga. Another missionary account pertaining to what went down at Honnōji implies that Yasuke may have engaged in combat during the incident, but the details are unclear, and it is said that he surrendered to Akechi Mitsuihide's troops and was delivered back into the care of the Jesuits "in India".
What didn't Yasuke do?
Although there are many details we don't know about Yasuke, and his deeds are not well documented, these are some things he most certainly didn't do...
He did not act as Oda Nobunaga's kaishakunin ('second'); it is widely believed that Ranmaru assisted Nobunaga in his seppuku shortly before the pair of them were both incinerated at Honnōji. Yasuke did not carry away either Nobunaga's head or a death-mask from Nobunaga.
Yasuke the Legend:
Given the paucity of detailed information about the life and deeds of Yasuke, many people have taken to speculation. We have established that Yasuke was Oda Nobunaga's retainer, but we don't know why Nobunaga decided to enfranchise Yasuke. Was it because he thought Yasuke would be of some use as a bodyguard; because he found Yasuke intriguing; or, did he just want yet another exotic curio to parade around? People will make up their
own minds about that as they like.
We despise a void! As is inevitable with the human experience, we'll pour into the unknown our imagination, aspirations and creativity, and so fill in the unknown with legend. For better or worse, we have in recent years witnessed the birth of the legend of Yasuke, African Samurai.
Issue #2 of Inside Ninjutsu
Available now for FREE
Prepare to delve deeper into the mysterious world of ninjutsu with the highly anticipated release of Inside Ninjutsu Issue #2. Building on the success of our debut, this edition promises an even richer tapestry of news, reviews, history, training ideas, and in-depth articles tailored for the dedicated practitioner and enthusiast of the shinobi arts.
✅ Club Profile: Nami Ryu Dojo
✅ Was Yasuke a samurai?
✅ Samurai Strongholds
✅ How to get more students
✅ The Art of Suijutsu
✅ New Koto Ryu Book
✅ Buyu Bulletin
✅ Develop ninja night vision
