A Legendary Black Samurai: Yasuke

The Extraordinary Tale of African Roots in Medieval Japan

From Humble Beginnings to a Shogun's Favor

In the annals of Japanese history, the name Yasuke stands out as a testament to the boundless possibilities of human connection and the fluidity of cultural boundaries. Born in Africa, probably in the 1550s, Yasuke embarked on a remarkable journey that led him to the court of the legendary daimyō Oda Nobunaga, one of the most powerful rulers in 16th-century Japan.