The Warrior Life of Yasuke: The African Samurai

In this video we dive deep into the warrior life of the African who would come to be remembered as the only ever black samurai, Yasuke!
Thank you again to Thomas Lockley! Below is a link to get yourself a copy of:
"African Samurai: The True Story of Yasuke, A Legendary Black Warrior in Feudal Japan"
www.amazon.com/African-Samura...
Also please check out Shogo and his awesome KZbin Channel!
-Shogo's Channel: / @letsaskshogo
-Shogo's Video on Foreign Samurai: • The 3 Foreign Samurai ...
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Artwork/Images:
-Art From: "African Samurai: The True Story of Yasuke, A Legendary Black Warrior in Feudal Japan"
-Classical art, which in most cases can be considered public domain.
-Art from Osprey Publications.
-Other modern artist renditions, if you see your work in this video please contact me so that I can give you proper credit!
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Social Media:
Facebook: / theshogunateyoutube
Twitter: / shogunatethe
#Samurai #History #Yasuke

[@TheShogunate]

If you are coming here regarding the new trailer for Assassins Creed Shadows and are curious or skeptical regarding Yasuke being a Samurai, I suggest you check out this recent post on r/AskHistorians where you will find that there is certainly evidence to suggest Yasuke can be considered a samurai. In the comments, ParallelPain examined historical documents which shed light on the evidence. I suggest you read it before commenting. www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1css0ye/was_yasuke_a_samurai/

[@IronheartvsMiles]

Yasuke was amazing!

[@TheDeisasori]

I think this deserves its own video, because the only historical text most people will likely use would be Luis Frois' records of Japan. Furthermore, there has been a wave of "historical bastardization" in various games and TV series (Netflix's Cleopatra comes to mind), so thorough explanation is needed.

[@kellygoodman6167]

I’m coming because I saw several KZbinrs getting upset about yasuke having a game about him when there were so many videos for years.

[@Tryhardblackguy]

Thank you. It’s so annoying these people are trying to rewrite history, Yasuke was never a problem

[@S1e73n]

To bad they disrespected him

[@bernardcz92]

Chadwick Boseman was working on a project to make a film about Yasuke. Sadly, his death likely has brought a complete stop to that.

[@TheShogunate]

A genuine shame.

[@wayne47able]

If they don’t recast someone as Yasuke it will be one of the biggest crimes in all of Hollywood. This is such a dope ass story

[@JurassicLion2049]

I think an HBO series would be better. That way to have long episodes that could be like movies in themselves to chronicle all of Yasuke’s life. I would definitely cast American actor Mike Colter as Yasuke cause he I feel most resembles descriptions of Yasuke.

[@saraishimwe1581]

For real, damn

[@AKRex]

@@JurassicLion2049 I agree, feature films will not be able to truly capture his character growth to the greater extent.

[@harrissyed1417]

Fun fact, he's one of the historical characters in Nioh that William Adams/Miura Anjin interacts with during his journey to Japan.

[@dracoinsanity]

He also shows up in a few missions in Nioh 2 as well in service to Nobunaga, since some of the events of both games seem to cross over. That's actually what interested me enough to watch this video myself. :)

[@halbertzod527]

at the beginning? I don't remember seeing him

[@crymeariver221]

Thats a video game so who gives a shit. It adds nothing to his history. Worthless fact.

[@halbertzod527]

@@crymeariver221 you clearly are an ignorant dumbass who has never played a game in your life. You must have a lot of fun Btw Nioh is a very historically accurate game

[@KenpoKid77]

@@crymeariver221 Always interesting when people give their own personal opinion, yet hide it in sayings like, " Who cares?" or "no one cares." Speak for yourself, because as you clearly saw here, not everyonr agrees with you. If it means nothing to you, just say that. Stop assuming everyone else shares your mindset.

[@duncan2by4]

Chadwick Boseman was scheduled to play him a movie. Fuck this year man.

[@soundsandmusic.3689]

Fa real! Man I would have love to see that.

[@Toshiro_Mifune]

dude with all respect to the deceased, it would be a horrible attempt. The writer was the guy that wrote PRINCE OF PERSIA or THE GREAT WALL lmao. nah, better leave this story with someone that can do it with respect.

[@DAVIDTORRESANI]

Stop it! Really,really? Ahhhh! Man that would have been nice.. Rip Chadwick

[@Sasquatchbones]

You just fucked my head up bro..

[@Toshiro_Mifune]

@@wzero07 i'm talking about the film, not the games.

[@H4TTOR1_H4NZO]

This is probably how afro samurai concept was created 👍

[@mattg.8597]

i’m bout to watch that just cus lol

[@Omega1st]

No it is not how Afro Samurai concept was created. The KSH (Kush) were in India called Kshatriya one of the Hindu Castes of India.

[@kennethprice3084]

I agree facts 💯👊👍✊

[@jmaccabees]

I've been to Asia... many if the ancient buddha's look more like the Yasuke than the typical japanese male.

[@donyachant9103]

I THINK SO TOO..

[@slyninja4444]

Imagine how many languages Yasuke spoke...

[@thelaundryman9287]

True... Portuguese, Sudanese, Indian and Japanese.

[@jovannibaeza191]

@@thelaundryman9287 not every Indian speaks hindi, and actually most of India speak different regional languages, so this number could have been much higher still

[@thelaundryman9287]

@@jovannibaeza191 damn... that's crazy 😅, I got alot of respect for Yasuke for this alone.

[@skillhunt3r]

@@thelaundryman9287 sudanese is not a language 😐

[@ervandrafadhlil403]

@@skillhunt3r it is tho. Probably he try to say the langguage of the people from the nusantara arcipelago that Yasuke had no doubt had interact with if he went from india to japan

[@kylefisher5138]

Oda had a fascination with western clothing, food, culture ..... and moustaches

[@cedricnicholson7446]

Nobungaga was a brutal vicious leader and that's why he was betrayed by Akechi Mitsuhide. Nobungaga did come close to unifying Japan and ending the civil war before Toyotomi Hideyoshi did. Japanese history is amazing and I'm glad to hear about Yasuke's small short lived but interesting role in it.

[@tigar007]

Oda Nobunaga was visionary, ahead of his time.. Unlike his sucessors

[@residentrump3271]

Much like myself, never equal to any ruler before or after. Oda was betrayed by his own, much like me. I'll be back in 2024 though. I'll make america great again...again....

[@schong163]

How so? Hideyoshi's invasion of Korea nearly succeeded. Tokugawa shogunate reigned for 300 years. The Oda clan couldn't even last beyond Nobunaga's death.

[@tigar007]

@@schong163 Hideoshy and especially Tokugawa just continued what Nobunaga started, Nobunaga was great military leader but also saw great benefits of foreign weapons, technology and ideas for Japanese people.. Closing down a country and turning it in a shithole for 300 years is not my idea of "visionary".. And also I always saw Korean campaing as great faliure, a lot of bloodbath and little to none gains in a long run.. But that is just me

[@schong163]

@@tigar007 Hideyoshi's Korean expedition drove the Korean government out of the peninsula within 3 weeks of the invasion. The Imjin war was an extremely astute political maneuver to direct the energies of ambitious daimyos towards an external enemy. Tokugawa reorganised the sociopolitical mileu from warfare state to a peaceful state, after losing the Imjin war. Japan wasn't a shithole just because it refused foreign baubles and subversive ideas to run rampant within its borders. Did foreign trade and ideas bring anything positive for the Qing court? Just because the West perceives the world according to the biases of 18th century merchants, does not mean the entire world must be judged according to their money-grubbing ways.

[@tigar007]

@@schong163 im not arguing agains it, Hydeoshi had very good reasons to attack Korea, alls im saying it is still a faliure.. Today Japan is richest and most advenced nation in the world because they were smart enough to adapt foreing technology and ideas, im just wondering what would happen if they did it 500 years ago? How much difference would there be?

[@yusefshakur669]

This is very deep because I love black history and us black people will never learn this in school or the history book

[@shadowgun22]

Bro it’s amazing how entrenched systemic racism is within American policy and practice. Whenever senators don’t want to do anything about the educational or zoning laws I raise an eyebrow at their old anti-MLK asses

[@landongrace1264]

@@shadowgun22 Almost like the racists are telling you "everything is racist you poor black soul."

[@nhatho1723]

This is Japanese history though...in Japan you might learn about him. Makes no sense in American schools unless you specifically take a Japanese history class.

[@ThePecky1966]

Why would American schools teach about a figure in Japanese history?

[@Patrick-lu2fy]

Probably because it isn’t true and has been made up by a woke liberal prof who knows a book on this will win him money and woke points. I know Japanese and culturally they hate foreigners but view Africans lower than any other. I don’t think it’s realistic that they would find it unthinkable that a lower class Japanese could become a Samurai but Africans were fine. This is ridiculous.

[@mrmr446]

I hugely enjoyed reading the book. Love your work, a delight to discover this channel during lockdown.

[@Kiki-en9vm]

This is great for "doubting Thomases ", who thought that yasuke is just a fable,----- pure history lesson.

[@Hard-R-Energy]

He was definitely real. The only thing up for debate was if he was actually a samurai or not. There's been a lot written of Yasuke over the years, but nothing written about him during his time mentions he was a samurai. He was likely just a sword bearer (samurai caddy) or a bodyguard, though the possibility of him being given the title of samurai is plausible. It's just odd that no one from that era mentioned it happening, especially since it was mentioned when Adams was named a samurai.

[@user-tg3ru6sz2q]

I'm a Japanese Kendoka, but if Yasuke was a samurai, why wasn't he given a surname? In feudal Japan, surnames were samurai privilege and a sign of samurai status, so why doesn't he have a surname? This is strange because in Japanese history there have never been a samurai without a surname. Even foreign-born samurai were all given surnames.

[@TheShogunate]

I don't believe a surname was strictly required until the Edo Period.

[@wayne47able]

Yayosou didnt have a surname

[@wolfstorm5394]

​​@@TheShogunate This is what a lot of people are ignoring, Edo period started in the 1600's, Yasuke was there before that time, before Edo period if Daimyo naimes you Samurai then you are Samurai

[@alexandrep4913]

​@@wayne47ableWho is this? I just googled this person and they don't exist. Did you misspell it?

[@wayne47able]

@alexandrep4913 Jan Joosten van Lodensteyn was the name his was born with. However, when he became a Samurai, he was given the name Yayōsu. There is no surname attached, and he was in fact a samurai. Some try to say his surname was Yan Yosuten, but this is false because not a single Japanese source corroborated this claim.

[@jiasenghe008]

This channel a breath of fresh air away from the ordinary.

[@bushidoblues9302]

Interesting vid! I never new about this. Would make a great movie.

[@nerdikles]

What really gets me about the comments on this post, is all the folks determining what it takes to be considered Samurai. Ive read that he wasnt trained as a samurai, didnt have a last name, was a novelty, and all other manner of things. If any of you read Japanese you would be able to read the first hand accounts of the man in 5 different works, I believe 3 are letters, and a few are various official documents. Do you have any idea how many documents the average samurai had about them? Ill give you a hint, the average is less than 1. You would also see that the words used to describe a lot of the mans life, including his stipend, the land granted to him, and even his actions as a warrior were all used to describe nobility.... Some of yall just want to go on about your culture wars. Get over it. Its a game. ALSO AC.... the first game was about the fall of a guild of assassins correct? From the mid east, notorious for their forts and being a key player in the region? Well in the game their fort is toppled by Christian Crusaders, which apparently ended their order. In the real world, it was the task of the mongols. Not the crusaders. But I dont see you bunch of racist going on about historically inaccurate that is.

[@shouayang6518]

Frist time hearing of Yasuke was in Nioh and was shock and in amazement oh hearing that he was real person

[@Daniel_Lancelin]

@Cegesh I mean, you just took the bait, so you're not really proving your point very well. This is why you're meant to ignore troll posts, otherwise you're just letting them clown on you.

Cegesh *tips fedora

[@21kesh21]

Yeah I only learned of him from Nioh.

[@haroldpeagler1430]

They don't teach this during BLACK HISTORY MONTH 🤔

[@jordinhocharles]

They don’t teach us anything outside US black history. 👎 we missing out on a hella history

[@leojay60]

Unfortunately so-called black history month has become a virtual mockery of black history. Outside of MLK, MX, & Harriet Tubman and a few modern people of pop-cultural interest, does it have any teeth? Hell, mainstream outlets will spend equal time talking about Valentine's Day, and then women's history month which is in March, & has 3 extra days to it. Fcked up sh*t I tell ya

[@yani2499]

Why do you ONLY need a month to know your people, fool ?

[@isagoes6156]

There's tons of things that are not taught about black history my friend. An American of African descent.

[@kisstherain73]

1 black samurai. So?

[@ABEAZYdaRonin94]

I was having a bad day, but you uploading this changed my whole perspective. Very well put together, thank you for sharing this information.

[@kyakarot]

JUST TO LET YALL KNOW THERES AN ANIME ABOUT HIM COMING TO NETFLIX,SHIT IS FIREEEEEEEE!!!

[@jessybrown485]

Just finished watching the anime and can confirm there is robots, but it is still soooo good🥰. Came here for actual historical context

[@ammatapierron7740]

Watching the series now! I’m hooked!

[@huntersmith8952]

It’s pretty good and flying lotus did the soundtrack so you know it’s good

[@MoonlightSonata88]

Yusuke just plays a sideline character. It won't be ABOUT him sadly

[@alsaif3386]

Shut

[@radicalopulence]

So I’m actually just learning about this because Lakeith Stanfield will be voicing Yasuke I guess in a animated Netflix series. But wow this is so cool.

[@realtalkwithj-man5195]

How have I just heard of this man today ? Fascinating story they should teach more about him .

[@SkyFly19853]

You really explained well. I really enjoyed watching this video. There was a video from another channel about Yasuke, but I realized it didn't really explained these details. ✅✅✅✅✅

[@Flankymanga]

Did anyone noticed the resemblance of Dr. Thomas Lockley to Tom Cruise?

[@robinlue2008]

Maybe its his clone. 😂

[@MilkTankz]

YESSS I WAS LIKE THE LAST SAMURAI HAS RETURNED😂

[@tecraman8100]

@@MilkTankz that's totally ironic!

[@leojay60]

Right! With the same first name! Weird indeed. He's vicariously living out the Last Samurai Movie

[@innoc3ntbystndr]

He’s the Last Samurai😂

[@plr2473]

Man. What an amazing life he led. And Yasuke didnt choose greatness. Greatness chose him!

[@garethlewis1984]

I'm confused, what great things did he do again?

[@asellandrofacchio7263]

​@@garethlewis1984i guess d1ying

[@Alquatica]

I’d love to see a video on the Wako, the Japanese pirates and how much of a problem the became for the area and for international relations between Japan, Korea, and China. Korea even went to Tsushima to confront the leading sago family about the problem.

[@minamotonokuroyoshitsune3237]

I would like to see a video on the wako aswell

[@thelordandsaviorgigachadrr888]

I heard that they were lead by Chinese, with some Japanese and other ethnicities as lower ranking pirates. China and Japan had a rivalry, so China blamed it all on Japan at the time, while Japan accepted it because it saw it as "glorious Japanese imperialism".

[@mosquitoman5899]

@@thelordandsaviorgigachadrr888 China and Japan is like those sibling rivalries that never ended till they are almost dying. Funny how similiar their culture and roots of ancestry are, yet they can't ever stand each other.

[@TAREEBITHETERRIBLE]

"Lord Nagakatsu Tomiya 4,000 koku Shogun swordplay instructor Munenori Yagyu, 5,000 koku the Lord of Tsushima... 6,000 koku. What will my swordplay bring me?" - SEIGAN IRAKO, FROM SHIGURUI DEATH FRENZY

[@demonzakariaalphadragongre8481]

And these pale skin so-called Asians are not Asians, no Chinese, no Japanese, no Philippines, amd no Hawaiians, and no Koreans, and other tribes, they are 'Orientals' the originals are dark skinned brothas and sistas of my kin folks 🌌🔥👸🏿🤴🏾👸🏾🤴🏿👶🏿👶🏾🐲👿😈

[@tatefranklin4761]

Imagine being a member of Nobunaga's retinue when Yasuke was introduced. A man with a skin color you had never even seen a hint of before, a whole foot taller than anyone around you, and broader than men who were nicknamed demon for their size and strength. It would have been like meeting an nba player/bodybuilder with purple skin.

[@ballsack6547]

A rare and intriguing character , fine job as usual mate.

[@UNSTABLE111]

Had this recommeneded and all Im gonna say is the current yasuke discourse because of assassins creed is so dumb..Like when Nioh came out, there was a little controversy having william adams as a protag but it is not nearly as overblown as this current so called controversy..Assassins creed has great attention to detail but its still a fictional story set a fictional version of real history..so yes, they are gonna take liberties with yasuke just like William Adams..its no different from how movies take liberties with their historical figures..(ahem William Wallace)..I just can't believe people are gonna die on this hill..

[@davidprocha7708]

Cuz people is racist...

[@hamartia_theorist]

Makes you lose hope in humanity once again

[@RoszuKtz]

Thomas Lockley look like a Tom Cruise who played a role "The Last Samurai" xd

[@staod87]

Yasuke, probably the officer I want to see added to Samurai Warriors as a playable character the most along with Joun Takahashi, Hideaki Kobayakawa, Otomo Sorin, Harukata Sue and William Adams

[@TheShogunate]

I agree 100%

[@nemesis3587]

Definetely. I create him in Samurai Warriors Empire series.

[@TheShogunate]

@@nemesis3587 Same!

[@mirandagoldstine8548]

Agreed. He was a badass and yet we don’t know much about his past. Even his place of birth is debated. I hope someday we can find his body and conduct an isotope analysis to pinpoint where he grew up.

[@mosquitoman5899]

i know right, but sadly SW somehow didn't have many characters compared to the DW counterparts. There aren't even big name generals and damiyos yet to be added. It might take a lot of time till they get to Yasuke or William

[@its_buttah_babii]

Wow. I actually just subbed to your channel from Shogo's channel. I'm so glad you made a video based on Yasuke. I'm still learning about him

[@kynshii]

Sucks that Chadwick never got to see this grow in a live action film. Hopefully they'll get michael jait White

[@kynshii]

@I HATE ANIME 🙏🏾

[@kynshii]

@TERRY KWAY absolutely right. Keep it original 👑

[@OtaniNoAsagi]

I noticed a lot of the people that tend to deny Yasuke's existence tends to be Foreigners( mainly white dudes, no offense intended), people not of Japanese decent , and people that don't know much about Japanese history whereas the actual Japanese people have no issue claiming him as apart of their culture as that is their history and that the man was real. Example the man you shouted out in this video. He also brought me to this channel much love from Shogo's viewer. Hopefully Japan does a movie on Yasuke. I don't trust the western media with this, I mean have you seen the anime live actions? Nope Nope Nope. Plus this is Japan's culture and history after all best it come from them. EDIT: because people keep commenting this. I'm not implying Yasuke is Mitushide levels in terms of importance or anything like that but if people want to learn about one of the first non Japanese samurai then why not? There's nothing wrong with it, I get it not much is fully known about him but even still the Japanese felt he was important enough to include in their history instead of ignoring him and I think that says something. If you're going to comment to say I'm pushing an agenda please don't. You and the person accusing me already are wrong in that regard. I don't need to push an agenda.

[@kyomademon453]

Part of japanese culture? That's eh a large stray away, he is part of the history of Japan but culturally makes 0 sense

[@OtaniNoAsagi]

@@kyomademon453 it really does make sense like what I was implying isn't hard to understand. He may not have been born in that culture but that's his legacy, what he assimilated to and what he will be remembered as and for. He is part of their history and part of them. Unless you're studying Japan you aren't going to learn about Yasuke

[@baldwintheleper8290]

Yasuke wasnt a big deal alright.

[@OtaniNoAsagi]

@@baldwintheleper8290 maybe to you. To people that like to study and talk about the history of these warriors he is. Why are you even on this video if that's your mindset?

[@OtaniNoAsagi]

@@baldwintheleper8290 there's a reason there's a list of the non Japanese samurai that people look into because it's foreigners joining the warrior ranks and assimilating into a culture they weren't born into, and it's interesting. Again it's cool if he or the other warriors aren't a big deal to you but that's you. Looking at the comments here and the comments made by other people on different platforms discussing this man, who was the first on the list, they feel otherwise.

[@jabotjab6239]

After 17:53 => bullshit without any sources. There aren't any record he joind Hideyoshi

[@kaom849]

弥助は侍では無い。　He was only in Japan from August 17, 1579 to June 21, 1582, and of those three years he spent 2 as a servant/slave of the Portuguese Jesuits and one under the orders of Oda Nobunaga (to whom the Portuguese gave him as a page. He used it as a decorative object to show to his guests. 黒人は日本では珍しい人種だった。

[@obiwanshinobi87]

i love how none of these desktop historians had any problem with all these documentaries 3 years ago

[@zelvanyan]

they all knew he was gonna be in the game even way before the trailer dropped. I guess maybe they thought since its a black male character he'll just be some side character or comic relief, something they can be comfortable with. But now that the trailer shows that he's gonna be one of the main characters, they're flipping out.

[@BernhardtBauer]

My hot take: - Gamers are more racist than people genuienly curious about world history - The outsiders pushing the culture wars BS are obviously uneducated so they didn't watch these docus 3 years ago I am huge fan of history, have seen the docus back yonder, and am stoked about Yasuke in the new AC title.

[@makemsayugh]

I feel like this should be a video game made about this and there's studios under the xbox umbrella to do so. This was very cool thx

[@carlbowles1808]

Fascinating thank you 😊.

[@Staykool777]

Amazing! Thank you

[@CanalDoRyu]

Yasuke has been appearing in Japanese media since as far back as the early Nobunaga's Ambition games from the 80s and not a single complaint about that was ever heard from japanese people as far as I'm aware, he was most recently in Nioh 2 and Samurai Warriors 5, no one angry over those either. These "angry japanese people" the anti-woke crowd keeps referring to seem to be either a very small minority that's making too much noise, or just them pretending to be japanese people over here, since creating alt accounts or modifying old ones on KZbin is very easy. I don't see these so-called angry japanese people anywhere outside of KZbin comments, they seem generally pretty chill about this over at Twitter, as well as Facebook or any other social platform where you look up the japanese terms for Assassin's Creed and Yasuke.

[@user-lr6lr1sq4j]

え、別にフィクションだって分かってるなら良いんじゃないの？ゲーム性が大事よね でも最近は弥助の記録を捏造して、政治利用してる人がいるんだってね。 今までは日本人の見えない所でやってたみたいだけどアサシンクリードシャドウズのお陰で知れ渡ったよ 好きな戦国武将たちの功績とかポジション奪われてて呆れたけど、こんな嘘すぐにバレるってばよ Huh? If you know it's fiction, why not? It's all about the gameplay, right? But recently, it seems that some people are fabricating Yasuke's records and using them for political purposes. Until now, they have been doing this out of sight of the Japanese people, but thanks to “Assassin's Creed Shadows,” they are now known. I'm appalled that they are taking away the achievements and status of our favorite warlords, but these lies will soon be exposed.

[@mrandrade784]

This book is amazing. I've only recently received it as a gift and I've hardly put it down. The detail on the story combined with historical fact make it such an addictive read.

[@leavonfletcher4197]

I found you from Shogo's channel. Love this video. Liked and subbed.

[@TheShogunate]

Thank you!!

[@cohort075]

Yasuke was only ever a small footnote in Japanese history. You make him out to be this almost mythical man! When all indications are that he was only a retainer, who was given the name Yasuke by Nobunaga, received a stipend (mostly consisting of rice, which was the norm), and a short sword (not a samurai sword). He was part of the Honnō-ji incident, but only have a report of Yasuke from Luis Frois written 5 months after the incident. There he was given back to the Jesuit’s in India, where he disappeared from history.

[@noticemesenpai69]

Thanks for listening to all of the requests for this video!

[@mobilegamersunite]

The REAL Afro Samurai!!!! Great vid!

[@robertschlesinger1342]

Very interesting and worthwhile video.

[@Jobe-13]

What an awesome man to learn about.

[@voicelessglottalfricative6567]

Oda Nobunaga was a reverse weeb

[@Toshiro_Mifune]

LMAO

[@jsun3117]

Do you speak of rear engagements?

[@TheDarrelmcgee]

Still forced for tradicional, submit tradicional, no matter clasificación, black ,achieved history as ex slave trained máster to be product and icon period,to have the history removed from achieved history.

[@beatnik6806]

There isn't any evidence that he even was a samurai. Probably wasn't because it was never mentioned he was a samurai or was granted as a samurai. Also he didn't have or atleast it isn't mentioned anywhere that he had a surname (every samurai was granted a surname and needs to have one) AND he didn't commit seppuku when Nobunaga died, like all the other Nobunaga's samurai who did. Doesn't make him and his story any less awesome though.

[@m_1355]

This was great 👌

[@KonigII]

There's another argument against considering him a samurai. After nobunaga's death akechi had him returned to Jesuit custody. It doesn't sounds like he had a recognised status

[@KonigII]

Q🎉

[@KonigII]

Q🎉

[@KonigII]

Q🎉

[@bismarx4987]

can you link the media objects you mentioned there in the end? The manga, anime, tv shows and so on plis :)

[@deusx.machinaanime.3072]

Has anyone heard of the Twin Pilipino Samurais called Sinuka and Nasuka and their sister warrior Tinae?

[@yayabarry4555]

Thanks so much just got the book on Amazon!

[@lordneek9458]

"In order for a samurai to be brave he must have a bit of black blood" -Japanese proverb

[@chancethewrapper3557]

What era is that quote from?

[@StennMathis]

@@chancethewrapper3557 I'm sure that quote is from the feudal Japanese book the 'Hagakure'

[@kismkasm3178]

Metaphorically - as in dark, cold, strong, and uncompromising - black.

[@papoose0507]

😂 interpret it as you wish

[@shaughnegonzalez6814]

@@kismkasm3178 ...most likely the truer meaning as killing in times of war, then & now requires a certain dark nature...

[@jimross7648]

This book as you so ably described it, is a great read. You took this material, and made a superb video on this subject. You turned it deftly inserting it in it's place in the Sengoku Jidai. Overall all of a minor note, but a lasting historical place in Samurai lore.

[@IAmACrab2020]

One thing interesting, he was given only a short sword wouldn't that be what would exclude him from being a samurai? Everything I've seen about it has shown that being a samurai allowed you to wear Daisho why would Nobunaga not have given him both? Eitherway he's a really interesting figure.

[@johndanielharold3633]

Perfect. Thanks!

[@The.Dadalorian]

Thank you for making this my brother and best friend who passed shared a love for Japanese culture and history and particularly we adore samurai stories and we’ve talked about many but my best friend Ramon was the black to my white I have never had a closer friend and I’d like to make a video commemorating him and a play on the story of Yasuke thank you for making this so more people now know.

[@febrymaulana011]

I've always wanted to asked if you would do a video about Yasuke. But I was hesitant because of I can't write well in english. Thank you for the video... I found it most informative.

[@queenp8713]

OMG I got emotional watching this video. Thank you! Thank you so very much for making this video. I have such pride 💜

[@FUnzzies1]

kinda cringe

[@auradzrts691]

The story of Yasuke and Malik Ambar, that's would make a great movie.

[@slim420MM]

Yasuke will go down in history as a brave Samurai while those complaining about his importance will be totally forgotten.

[@davidjooste5788]

It seems more likely that at 19 he was a convert and a servant rather than already a great warrior

[@yoloswaggins7121]

I have never heard this narrative that he arrived in Japan as a great warrior.

[@manuelr.knippingreynoso1371]

Got here by force of destiny. Anthony Cummins is Indeed precise and honest giving of his squired talent for arduous study work. Thanks to All👊🏾✊🏾💪🏾

[@manuelr.knippingreynoso1371]

Melatonin Seratonin Sun Menalation. You do the rest of the search. See.

[@josephmiller1576]

Very very informative

[@sweeetly]

Wow thanks that was very interesting.

[@JokerMxyzptlk]

It's unfortunate that so many people have been suckered by Lockley. When you read his book he doesn't offer any sources for all the detail he gives. This is a work of historical fiction. Yasuke only has but a few sparse original sources. Lockley filled in all the gaps with his own imagination. I'm not sure why the scholarly community isn't calling him out on this. I urge everyone who's read the book to try substantiating the bulk of his tale with original sources. I couldn't find a single original source for the majority of his book.

[@poloshirtsamurai]

People who believed this are the same people who believed Bushido.

[@andei_]

It is called politics and crafting a fictitious narrative for the political identity of an oppressed minority group. Not that I agree, but that is quite a formula for making $$$.

[@PavethaWay]

​@@andei_I prefer the lie better....

[@wewuzaryans]

What book are you reading because the one I read definitely has sources and was factually correct from the research I did

[@cavemancult1999]

@@wewuzaryansI'd like to know too as it just seems like another cop-out to disqualify possible black history

[@gamevalor]

Is there historic artwork of Yasuke? I can't find it.

[@TheShogunate]

It is largely believed that this could be a depiction of Yasuke en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yasuke#/media/File:Black_sumo_wrestler_in_17th_century.jpg

[@overlordwarlordtheomnilord9473]

@@TheShogunate Thought he was taller(probably was still tall but some of the art depicts hims having normal height to Japanese standards if that's really him)

[@overlordwarlordtheomnilord9473]

@Eclipse Au I just remembered a few versions stating how he was taller compared to the Japanese

[@BlackFalconZ850E77]

I knew about him before and he was brought up again during the secret meetings we would have and when we watched the Naruto series(Sasuke) and Afro Samurai.

[@MrReef2323]

Appreciated the video

[@conradrochestersr8884]

I've often felt with the movement of people and cultures for various reasons, in the early ages of our planet. The story of Yasuke the African Samurai . Validates what l've been thinking for some time.

[@eddiejamesjames4735]

Wow that's kind of amazing because in all my Years of Living I never heard of him once something that was never taught in public schools for minority kids it's such a shame how they would not let you know about this type of History of a black man thank you very much for putting that out there

[@vengeance5537]

Why would you be taught about a minor figure, a footnote in Japanese history, in American school? Or are you so starved for history, identity and recognition that you will take literally anything?

[@RouGeZH]

It's a very minor figure in a foreign country. Why the HELL is school supposed to teach that?

[@scottycunningham1413]

Yes go figure, a figure in Japanese history who is a very minor, albeit interesting, is not talked about in American schools. I wonder why lol

[@blackpaisley5156]

Bunch of bitter white men under this comment

[@thomasrobson6370]

one good turn deserves another 😁 you "featured" Shogo's channel and some of your subscribers subbed to him; he "featured" your channel so I watched this video liked it and subscribed to yours. This is how a good community of you tubers work 😁 may you never have trolls bothering you

[@myronwendell7196]

This is great. Knowing your positive past gives you positive power with in your self, and helps you move forward with your good deeds. USMC respected

[@IsraeliteJewels]

Yasuke was in Malabar India where a lot of Israelites were at. The Portagues invaded that land in 1498 and capture only black men of that land to convert them. So Yasuke was an Israelite that went to Japan.

[@YokaiLover699]

I have to recommend African Samurai! It's very very good! Also great video!

[@MoonMoverGaming]

I am impressed by how well you were able to "get inside the head" of this historical figure we know so little about. That takes empathy, inference, and consideration. You aren't just regurgitating facts, you're cutting to the heart of what makes a story worth telling.

[@elwoodwhite2499]

Wouldn’t believe it unless someone told you thank you sir!

[@gobzanuff5078]

Yasuke is the perfect role for samurai... at early age he was sold to become a slave warrior... so he doesnt have strong connection memory with family or homeland.... He can only feel peace/success/rewarded by being the best bodyguard...

[@Omega1st]

Who sold him to become a Slave Warrior?

[@thefirstdark]

@@Omega1st the arabic slave trade, more than likely

[@zeusinfi4154]

@@thefirstdark arabic? Weren't they portuguese?

[@BR0984]

@@zeusinfi4154 portuguese supplied by African warlords using their enemy captives

[@MoonlightSonata88]

By an Italian actually

[@DavidHolloman-ek4ti]

He became a retainer then taught the way of a samurai and people are saying he wasn't a samurai

[@IronheartvsMiles]

He was a samurai, cry racist

[@DavidHolloman-ek4ti]

I'm saying he became a retainer First Then he was taught the ways of a Samurai. became a Samurai

[@sircartier2723]

​@@IronheartvsMilesbro he's agreeing with you that he was a samurai 😂

[@kasi4363]

@@IronheartvsMiles Yeah, calm down. Your yelling at someone who agrees with you.

[@FoxDieSolid508]

He wasn’t a Samurai…. He was Bushi… still really cool. And he received a lot of the same benefits of Samurai. But he was never elevated to status of Samurai. Samurai were part of a caste system. It was not unheard of for foreigners to be elevated to Samurai. But it was very rare and would have been thoroughly recorded. Also all Samurai had Surnames. And Yasuke was never given a Surname. Nor was he granted any fiefdoms. And when Nobunaga was forced to commit Seppuku, all of his Samurai were also forced to commit Seppuku. However, Yasuke was not included. There is a preponderance of evidence that Yasuke was not Samurai. He was Bushi. You should check out Metatron’s video on Yasuke. He does a great job explaining the misconception.

[@JackStm123]

Very good.....i love it

[@devind42987]

He in fact was not a samurai, he was a temporary servant. Wakanda history at its finest

[@mrquake7789]

If Chadwick Booseman was alive he would be a star in this movie.

[@aburakadabura2]

The authorities who sheltered Yaske died in a coup d'etat. Yaske fought the rebels but was taken prisoner. When asked by his men what to do with Yasuke, the rebel commander He is not a human being. He is the same as a pet animal, so there is no need to execute him. He should be handed over to the missionaries and returned to his country of origin.

[@dannygreenland4853]

Some interesting info about Yasuke nice video

[@kerrowe]

19:08 I'm interested to take a look at the stories and shows and games you found involving Yasuke. Happen to have a that list still?

[@paylowslimpaylowslim1386]

Samurai came from dynasty to protect the emperor. The first dynasty was african and the king's guard were the same race like wise to protect their blood line . So therefore it was royally protected. Only by blood line and the task to protect the blood line was inherited through the the samurai and his kids. They were all black

[@africanprince4884]

💯

[@mitonaarea5856]

What??

[@guywholikesheelies3231]

My guy this is old but the samurai class was literally created because the Emperor's warriors couldn't handle northern tribes on their own and hired them out as Bushi.

[@blackasiamagazine3118]

I'd read previously that Yasuke studied in Portugal. He went to Kyoto as the paige of a Jesuit priest. He was also a missionary. Nobunaga summoned him because the priest had been killed in an accident.

[@sitara2783]

It's kind of funny that you mention scrubbing. My dad was a merchant marine and told me that somewhere in the Middle East (I forget where) came across a man who had never seen a Black person. In his words the man, "tried to scrub the black off me." The novelty of him was quite a hit with the ladies apparently.

[@josepalacios1363]

Thank you for this I love hearing about Japanese History I hope I go there one day

[@hanchiman]

Not bad for a foreigner who managed to become a Samurai class at a time in Japan where they don't really see much foreigners, beside Chinese and then Europeans traders. I think it also due to Nobunaga having an open mind who don't mind or care what background you have, as he only see talents and skills

[@Daniel_Lancelin]

True, they kinda needed good warriors at the time, so it was like "okay, you can't speak Japanese, but are you good with a sword? Ah fuck it, you're hired." Plus, I guess they would've been more trusting of black people than Europeans because they weren't the ones trying to fuck with their economy.

[@hanchiman]

@@Daniel_Lancelin Yeah and I think due to Yasuke "size" as well, this might sounds a bit wrong but Africans was basically naturally stronger build than Europeans and obviously Japanese as Japanese average height at the time was 160cm or 5foot. I think Yasuke would be like 6ft tall giant in their eyes. But I remember Yasuke was not the only African mercenary Samurai in Sengoku period, but Nobunaga made one as a Hatamoto who lived pretty well

[@Daniel_Lancelin]

​@@hanchiman Interesting point. The difference was probably even more noticeable back then since most ethnic groups at the time had more "standard" appearances (due to homogeny, limited diets, etc.) that were somewhat shorter than they are now. This is actually still the case in Japan to a degree since they're a very homogenous country, relatively speaking. From the perspective of the people at that time, it would've been like Oda had summoned an oni to fight for him or something, lol.

[@hanchiman]

@@Daniel_Lancelin I dunno if any of the Daimyo at the time ever hired European brigands and Pirates as mercenaries, I mean I know some Dutch or Portuguese rouges realized they can become pirates and roam around the South China sea, attacking merchants ships or once in a while raiding local villages close to the sea. I do know there was a Portugese pirate that roamed around the Chinese sea of Macao and Hong Kong area during the same time period of Japan sengoku jidai (around 16th century at the height of Pirates era)

[@Daniel_Lancelin]

@@hanchiman I'm sure some of the less traditional ones hired foreign mercenaries. They were already buying weapons from them, so I don't see why they wouldn't want to buy trained soldiers as well.

[@ronaldfmiaable]

Damn Chadwick would have done this such an honor.

[@DAVIDTORRESANI]

Wow!! Make this a movie or series. What a cool history lesson.

[@jerichotherogue]

Great Video

[@manjitahzan9577]

I wonder what was his name before he's been called Yasuke.

[@Daniel_Lancelin]

Guess we'll never know. It's sad, but it kinda adds to the mysterious badass factor a bit in my opinion.

[@manjitahzan9577]

@@Daniel_Lancelin If it's known, maybe we can track it back to Africa and India for more info about him. Well, if it's recorded though.

[@Daniel_Lancelin]

@@manjitahzan9577 I doubt there's any evidence to be found there. If he was from a tribe that only kept historical records in the form of oral legends rather than written texts, the only hope of finding any information on him would be in the records the Europeans kept on him, assuming they had any. Furthermore, if there were records on him, it would be difficult to find out about it since they likely would've been using a different name for him.

[@manjitahzan9577]

@@Daniel_Lancelin Yeah, I think the only lead would be from the Jesuit missionary records. Let's just hope.

[@jashardwallington]

You kno i wonder now to

[@tom8824]

Thomas Lockley does look like Thomas Cruise.

[@hizurumegumi5727]

the book is very good I have read it like 5 times nows and now re reading my 6th time

[@CintronEd]

Sometimes you wonder why this type of black samurai showed up recently with history never heard of it before a couple of years ago

[@sfp2290]

I suppose he was known for many years beforehand. But nobody really cared as much about his race, as they do now. Personally, I think the only reason people care about him now is because of his race.