Yasuke
First African samurai who served Oda Nobunaga in 16th-century Japan
In 1579, a Mozambican man named Yasuke arrived in Kyoto with Jesuit missionaries. His 6-foot stature and dark skin caused a sensation, leading warlord Oda Nobunaga to summon him. After testing Yasuke's strength, Nobunaga made him a samurai - unprecedented for a foreigner.
Historical records show Yasuke:
- Fought in the Honnō-ji Incident (1582)
- Received a katana and residence
- Spoke fluent Japanese
His presence challenges notions of racial exclusivity in feudal Japan. While his later life remains mysterious, Yasuke's story resurged through:
- 2019 Netflix anime "Yasuke"
- Children's books across Japan
- Ongoing archaeological research