The Warrior Life of Yasuke: The African Samurai

[@TheShogunate]

UPDATE as of August 2024: Multiple Japanese historians such as Oka Mihoko, Yu Hirayama, and Goza Yuichi have come out with their own thoughts/opinions on the Yasuke debate. They each think that based on the sources we have, Yasuke seems to fit the description of what we would consider a samurai during the 1500s. ORIGINAL POST: If you are new to this video or came here due to recent controversy surrounding Thomas Lockley, I implore you to watch the video first. The video, as with Lockley's book, both use a fair amount of historical speculation based on what we know about Yasuke and the history surrounding him. The truth is that we do know very little about Yasuke, so it is quite easy to see why speculation has come into play, this is not abnormal for historical discussion. This also does not change the fact that the actual historical records that mention Yasuke detail how he WAS someone we can consider to have been very closely associated to Japan's warrior class for the brief time he was under Oda Nobunaga. This fact is supported by most credible historians. If you want to see further evidence suggesting Yasuke's close ties to the samurai I recommend checking out this recent Ask Historians link that also dives into further detail. www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1css0ye/was_yasuke_a_samurai/

[@koma266]

Most Japanese people probably don't know about Yasuke. Japanese history is quite long and full of important people. Nobunaga is one of those important people, and there are only a few descriptions of Yasuke, merely as one episode related to his character. And there is no description of the samurai. I know that he came to Japan as a slave with the Jesuits, and caught the eye of Nobunaga, who liked new things, and was acquired by him. Someone added a story based on wishful thinking, saying that there were black samurai in Japan. If that were historical fact, history around the world could be easily rewritten.

[@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.

[@AKRex]

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

[@Serai3]

@@JurassicLion2049 I agree. He had a fascinating life before he ever got to Japan.

[@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.

[@slyninja4444]

Imagine how many languages Yasuke spoke...

[@Alxei23456]

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

[@jovannibaeza191]

@@Alxei23456 not every Indian speaks hindi, and actually most of India speak different regional languages, so this number could have been much higher still

[@Alxei23456]

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

[@skillhunt3r]

@@Alxei23456 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

[@ななし-r1m]

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.

[@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🎉

[@Keita-j4y]

Even historians have difficulty judging whether he was a samurai, and there are only three or four documents, so it is very vague. There are many such people in history. Think calmly. For the Yasuke's honor. 90% of Thomas's book is full of his fantasies and desires, and the prejudices typical of history buffs. There are also some unrelated documents scattered around. If there is a debate about whether he was a samurai, he is not an important person in the first place. Moreover, he was not recognized as a samurai by the enemy generals, so it is already not 100%. A samurai who is not recognized as a samurai by other Japanese? Don't you think it's ridiculous that the only problem is that he had no important achievements and was only the favorite of his superior at the time? He is a person of controversy in terms of rank in the first place. In recent years, he was a unique person, but now he has become a toy and tool of Western propaganda. Don't be fooled. Why believe in false honor? This is a typical means of exploitation that gives honor and sucks up wealth. You should stand up with some Japanese people who oppose this. If you like Yasuke. I think he was a brave person. He is not a toy. It is only now that Yasuke has become a heroic samurai. Why? Who is saying this? Who is making money? Did he want to come to Japan? He must have been well treated by his Japanese superiors. But why are we arguing with the Japanese now? Is there any important truth in that? Yasuke being a samurai or not, unfortunately that's all. Please understand this essence.

[@D4RKxHOR1ZoN]

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..

[@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.

[@どん兵衞-p6p]

Yasuke was not samurai but SLAVE. If he was samurai, he should have province or official position. But there is no record about that. Don't believe the story whiich made by political correctness.

[@kylefisher5138]

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

[@G.I_Jane]

Yasuke is a historical figure that by modern standards is completely fictional already, half the time its videos like these that do zero research and just cope into thinking Yasuke was some special larger than life figure in japans feudal era. So much bs is completely made up about this guy to the point that people believed its history

[@Aeternous]

He was not a noble warrior, he carried Nobunaga's luggage.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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?

[@aquazilla-y4i]

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.

[@Flankymanga]

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

[@robinlue2008]

Maybe its his clone. 😂

[@tecraman8100]

@Storm Davis 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😂

[@thetruthispotenza3602]

So basically. Almost nothing is really known about Yasuke. And there isnt any proof that he was actually awarded the title of Samurai. I notice this video goes over all the reasons and speculation ls why and never why not. Very bias information.

[@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 👑

[@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.

[@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 🌌🔥👸🏿🤴🏾👸🏾🤴🏿👶🏿👶🏾🐲👿😈

[@Daron7181]

Queen Himiko as well. Not that Tomb Raider stuff.

[@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.

[@Stopcolonizinglebanon]

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.

[@RoszuKtz]

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

[@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

[@lordneek]

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

[@chancethewrapperr]

What era is that quote from?

[@StennMathis]

@@chancethewrapperr 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...

[@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.

[@leavonfletcher4197]

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

[@TheShogunate]

Thank you!!

[@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.

[@brunoxd151]

Assassin's creed games were always historically innacurate, but when a main character is black, suddenly everybody cares about historical accuracy. NOBODY KNOWS if yasuke was or wasn't samurai and yet people are saying like it's a fact that he wasn't

[@RezaQin]

They're only making him thesin character to check a box. Just like how the ninja is a lady, just another virtue signal box check

[@Tryhardblackguy]

@@RezaQinJapan uses him in so much of their media. It’s Ubisoft anyway, so you truly care? Or just mad about this for a game you wouldn’t even buy to begin with?

[@Moto_TZ]

​@@RezaQinit's not... Ppl are literally going to buy and play this game

[@wkey8365]

Its not about the what, its about the why. Everyone knows why theyve decided to make the main character a minority, its virtue signalling and people are sick of it. They could easily have made the main character trans and people would still have a problem.

[@Moto_TZ]

@@wkey8365 I already lived through the white washed everything era. Forgive half of us that we don't give a shit whose the main character outside of a white hero.

[@Ash_Hudson]

All very interesting, much like Lockley's romanticised novel, but this is 95% speculation and revisionism. None of this is fact apart from the few small details that were written about him.

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

Lol Just stop as NONE of this “95% speculation and revisionism” AT ALL as what you’re saying here doesn’t make any sense at all here in the slightest. ALOT of this is factually and true of all the things that happened to him in real life as he WAS the first African samurai to exist. You going on about this nonsense of “fEw smAll dEtAiLs” about him is just plain absurdly bad to even say as there is no “rEvIsiOnIsm” here nor any “rOmAntIcIsEd nOvEL” that doesn’t remove the fact that Yasuke WAS a samurai here and this is just plain fact here and that’s ALL that centrally matters here. Lol your denial of facts and the truth is just plain sad here, that’s for sure!

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

Lol Just stop as NONE of this “95% speculation and revisionism” AT ALL as what you’re saying here doesn’t make any sense at all here in the slightest. ALOT of this is factually and true of all the things that happened to him in real life as he WAS the first African samurai to exist. You going on about this nonsense of “fEw smAll dEtAiLs” about him is just plain absurdly bad to even say as there is no “rEvIsiOnIsm” here nor any “rOmAntIcIsEd nOvEL” that doesn’t remove the fact that Yasuke WAS a samurai here and this is just plain fact here and that’s ALL that centrally matters here.

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

ALOT of this is factually and true of all the things that happened to him in real life as he WAS the first African samurai to exist. NOTHING you're saying about this doesn’t remove the fact that Yasuke WAS a samurai here and this is just plain fact here and that’s ALL that centrally matters here.

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

Lol Just stop as NONE of this “95% speculation and revisionism” AT ALL as what you’re saying here doesn’t make any sense at all here in the slightest.

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

ALOT of this is factually and true of all the things that happened to him in real life as he WAS the first African samurai to exist. You going on about this nonsense of “fEw smAll dEtAiLs” about him is just plain absurdly bad to even say as there is no “rEvIsiOnIsm” here nor any “rOmAntIcIsEd nOvEL” that doesn’t remove the fact that Yasuke WAS a samurai here and this is just plain fact here and that’s ALL that centrally matters here. Lol your denial of facts and the truth is just plain sad here, that’s for sure!

[@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

[@どん兵衞-p6p]

Yasuke was the slave of Portuguese. His master handed over him to Nobunaga. In the first place, there is no evidece that he had province. Samurai was not only the role of soldier but ruler of their province. Don't tell lies. Don' make drama by your wish. We Japanese will never forgive such rubbish.

[@bushidoblues9302]

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

[@coreypierce7757]

Who else is here because of assassin’s Creed shadows?

[@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.

[@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.

[@deusx.machinaanime.3072]

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

[@TheFenixFallen]

Just a heads up there’s going to be a Yasuke anime coming on Netflix.

[@noticemesenpai69]

There’s already one called Afro Samurai

[@TheFenixFallen]

@@noticemesenpai69 Yes I know, Even though Afro Samurai was Inspired by Yasuke, this one seem to be based on the actual person but in a different setting.

[@justinaturnbough2465]

@@noticemesenpai69 stop lying 🤥

[@noticemesenpai69]

@@justinaturnbough2465 google it you pleb before you start calling people liars

[@LionClanChief]

Its not gonna be historically accurate its gonna be like Afro Samurai with robots and stuff.

[@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?

[@aselliofacchio]

​@@garethlewis1984i guess d1ying

[@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.

[@Invictus357]

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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@yakisobapancake1234]

Famous? I live in Japan and nobody ever mentioned Yusuke orvwhatever his name was to me. Get outta here.

[@jamarjones3727]

Stop lying

[@yakisobapancake1234]

@@jamarjones3727 yes I am lying, everyone here knows Yusuke the famous negro samurai that never existed.

[@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.

[@johnice2157]

Christopher Columbus was also black...

[@grimreaper3882]

Dafuq are you going on about...

[@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.

[@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

[@riverblack123]

He lost the only fight he has ever been in by surrender. He was no warrior.

[@shadowone01x99]

He did not loose that fight... RECORD THAT HISTORICAL RECORD YOURSELF... Yasuke held his own against an army of Samurais "for a long time" (direct quote) until he was REQUESTED to surrender after he realized he was fighting for his lords son Nobutada (son of Nobunaga) who was already dead and his army already defeated so Yasuke had no more reason to keep fighting for leaders who were already dead.

[@riverblack123]

@@shadowone01x99 lol yeah. He also had superpowers.

[@JamaicanToast]

​@@riverblack123You're late to this type of info so how about taking a seat and stop disturbing class. This was uploaded 3 years ago

[@Ash_Hudson]

​​@@JamaicanToastis this the class for autism? You realise this video, and the book mentioned in it are both speculation and revisionism, right? 😂 About 3% of this video is fact and the book African Samurai is more like a novel where Thomas Lockley takes many creative liberties.

[@JamaicanToast]

@@Ash_Hudson why did Tom cruise play the last samurai?? Came out in 2003 did you enjoy it??

[@katakauchi]

There are only two contemporary sources on Yasuke . They are the Chronicle Of Lord Nobunaga by a former retainer than a monk Ota Gyuichi and the letters of the Jesuit priest Luis Frois . Yasuke only gets a couple of mentions . Nowhere is it stated the Yasuke held a Samurai rank let alone in battle . Its a fact he only spent a few months with Nobunaga . Yasuke only gets a few lines under both authors . Most of what you have stated is conjecture and based on your own assumptions .

[@atsukorichards1675]

I am surprised at hearing that there are some books on this person.

[@katakauchi]

@@atsukorichards1675 Just that one book in English which is garbage . The Hideyoshi and Nobunaga Taiga Drama’s both depict Yasuke as a servant which seems more accurate than all this stuff about him being a Samurai . Will Adams was the only non Japanese Samurai .

[@atsukorichards1675]

@@katakauchi I agree with you. I don't like to pop the bubbles, but I think it was all Nobunaga`s whim.

[@poloshirtsamurai]

@@atsukorichards1675 A novelty to Nobunaga. He likes exotic things.

[@alexandertomaso6246]

I've always wished this channel would get more attention but wish it wasn't like this lol. Sorry man, it'll be over soon

[@mrmr446]

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

[@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

[@Mr.International82]

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

[@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

[@auradzrts691]

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

[@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

[@shahlegno5890]

Afro samurai approved this.

[@justinaturnbough2465]

Facts I am here because they say I am related to him I think it is because I am black in japan and I am the the top of my class in japan in kartate

[@qevansable]

He was the first afro samurai.

[@Randoverse]

Pretty cool historical piece but where does the notion he was Samurai come from?

[@Ash_Hudson]

Their asses. The same place they got 95% of the info in this video from.

[@loadshedding_]

​@@Ash_Hudsonso you just ignore the research of experts? Seeing racism still exist in 2024 is still wild to me😭

[@obiwanshinobi87]

How about the Japanese themselves? lol.. He is basically part of japanese folklore.. as a samurai

[@Randoverse]

@@obiwanshinobi87 Haven't seen one shred of evidence saying he was Samurai. Just because he stayed around Japan, not that he had a choice, doesn't make him Samurai. He has a very interesting life of a slave, servant, warrior for sure.

[@Randoverse]

@@obiwanshinobi87 kzbin.info/www/bejne/anq7ppuHrdaEeKM This goes into great detail about his life and gives clarity to the subject. He wasn't Samurai as they would have historical records on such a famous person in Japan. Why its important is even Ubisoft now is trying to say he is part of the LBGT. If you give them an inch they take a mile.

[@mobilegamersunite]

The REAL Afro Samurai!!!! Great vid!

[@TimesUhave2BA_radicalintellect]

I would really like to see where you got your info from

[@YokaiLover699]

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

[@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.

[@タマゴガケドロドロ]

トーマスロックリーの本は殆ど嘘だから。日本語の「弥助」のWikipediaをみると良い。弥助について言及された資料は日本では本当に少ない上に、記述も「ポルトガル宣教師の奴隷が信長の荷物持ちになった」事しか書いていない。

[@sfp2290]

It sounds to me, that the only reason why this guy is popular right now is... Solely because of his skin colour. While having had an interesting life. It is ultimately on par, if not sub-par with many other historical and less popular figures. It feels a lot like the whole self-insert culture like "The Last Samurai", in which it is just a white american who becomes a samurai. Now it just moves on to the next group, where you find the holy grail of "Oh my god! We found a (potential) samurai of african heritage! Time to sell this story based on a figure who is relatable to an american audience!". I suppose race will always be important to some people.

[@jiasenghe008]

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

[@britbongtankie]

I can imagine this guy getting really annoyed trying to explain to Nobunaga that his skin is naturally black while Nobunaga keeps trying to wash the "paint" off

[@ronaldfmiaable]

Damn Chadwick would have done this such an honor.

[@YUKKURIukiyoVbe]

まぁ苗字もないし小姓なので侍じゃないんですけどね。

[@FluxMachina]

The Obsidian Warrior

[@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.

[@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

[@バンドル-h6h]

1st.Yasuke did not commit seppuku. Yasuke threw away his sword, surrendered, and returned to the priests. It's written in this book. It's "Avvisi del Giapone degli anni M.D.LXXXII. LXXXIII. et LXXXIV". 2nd.A samurai always has a surname.(If you receive a surname, you will be given a surname if you have made an accomplishment.) 3rd.Yasuke became a page. It's either the child of a samurai who can't become a samurai, or a retainer with a katana.(In old Japan, anyone under the age of 15 was considered a child.) It's truth. Yasuke is not samurai.

[@murtazazaidi95]

The descendants of Habshis can easily be found in Pakistan and India. I know several that live in karachi and in villages nearby. They were mostly purchased by rich land lords and nawabs in Sindh. Slavery was banned in the 19th century and thy were freed. Also known as the sheedi community

[@Theo-z6q]

This guy says samurai was a class that was sacred then at end says he is "a form of samurai" no such thing exists either your samurai or common soldier. The assumption he was declared samurai is just that an assumption.

[@Gilsao157]

The problem African Samurai The True Story of Yasuke, is that it don't read like a narrative novel by coincidence. It is a narrative novel based on historic periods and events but highly embelished.

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

LOL If you're going to come and say this nonsense of" highly embelished" because of what happened in Assassin's Creed, than you're 100% WRONG here entirely. While the Assassin's Creed series is PURPOSEFULLY playing around with real history and is historical science fiction and this game series has NEVER stated or claimed that ANY of these events are true at all as it has a fictional story within the backdrop of history, nothing you're saying here makes any sense at all. However Yasuke DID exist and he WAS considered a Samurai. He was given the title of samurai by Nobunaga. He also fought in several battles despite only spending 15 months in Japan prior to Nobunaga’s death. Following the defeat of Nobugana’s army, little is known of the fate that befell Yasuke. He was a retainer, yes, but he was considered as a samurai. That's what Japanese retainers ARE, samurai. But regardless of that, It doesn't matter if he wasn't a "True samurai" the point is that he's more than likely to BE one and fictionalized takes in fiction are able showcase him AS one as you've had a real life children's book that came out in the 1950s about Yasuke FROM a japanese person that depicts Yasuke as a Samurai, JUST like this game and other fictionalized versions of his story. They are making a fictional story that is exaggerated versions of real life people and event which the series has ALWAYS gone for. People need to stop with this "yAsuKE wAS nOT a sAMuraI" nonsense as this is something that's always been the norm FOR this series since the first game. The real life Hassassins are NOTHING like they are as the Assassins's Creed version depicts them as, the real life templars are NOTHING like versions of the Templars that you see in the game. Assassin's Creed series has ALWAYS had fictionalized versions of real life events of two shadowy organization that take place in the background of real life history as the series is historical science fiction with cosmic aliens leaving their artifacts on earth that people interpret as real life artifacts and tools AS WELL as people having supersenses like Eagle Vision from them. What you're saying doesn't make any sense as this series always had fictionalized versions of real life events for it's story that which they are trying to tell and NOW you have an issue with it? This game series isn't a documentary, it's always been historical fiction. This is how the series ALWAYS has been and people have enjoyed and loved the franchise for it very since the first game FOR this. Characters are exaggerated versions depicted in the game series due it being historical science fiction within the background of real life history. What you're saying just comes off as invalid FOR this franchise to begin with. What you're saying just comes off as invalid FOR this franchise to begin with. And Nioh for not have a Japanese game as you play as the historical figure William Adams, who was made into a samurai for that game setting, in a fictionalized game setting JUST like Assassin's Creed does as well and that game, Nioh, was MADE by Japanese people and that game was beloved and praised. Yasuke was also in Nioh, as a samurai, a game made BY Japanese devs. People just love to complain over nothing, nothing more. What they're saying makes NO sense at all! What they're saying just comes off as invalid FOR this franchise to begin with as this series is historical science fiction as the game series ever since the first game and people have LOVED it ever since the start of the first game. Nioh is a fictionalized game setting JUST like Assassin's Creed does as well and that game, Nioh, was MADE by Japanese people and that game was beloved and praised. What they're saying makes isn't true at all NOR valid, they're just complaining JUST for complaining sake, nothing more. This is what the assassin’s creed series has always been, a fictionalized version of events and characters within a real world historical backdrop and people have LOVED this series for it ever since the first game! That simple! This isn’t an issue now as it has ever since the first game!

[@Ash_Hudson]

​​​​​@@Gadget-Walkmenno one is reading all of that shit when you start raging in full caps. How emotional are you, mate? You don't have a single leg to stand on anyway because he is right. African Samurai is a novel, a work of fiction. It is highly embellished. A 500 page book about Yasuke extrapolated from less than 10 lines written about him. You do the maths.

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

@@Ash_Hudson Lol Just stop talking as NOTHING you’re saying here is AT ALL true nor are you making any sense at all as everyone who cares about REASON will read what I said and realize that I’m right and what I’m saying is 100% true here. I’m not “rAgiNg in fuLl cApS” at all and I’m not “emOtioNaL” at all, I’m BAFFLED from the nonsense you people are saying. And I have ALL legs to stand because he’s NOT right at all and you’re wrong JUST like he is wrong as well. African Samurai is based off of TRUTH here of what Yasuke actually HAS been in history. It being “highly embellished” or not doesn’t remove the fact that Yasuke DID exist and he WAS a samurai in Fedual japanese history. Even if anything else in a lot of his history is embellished in whatever books there are of him, these things DID happen as he was the first African samurai to exist. It’s not about “yOu Do tHe mATh”, it’s about doing what’s actually being proven here to be true. This whole “500 page book about Yasuke from less than 10 lines written about him” doesn’t remove the fact that he was real and he was the first African samurai to exist! That’s a FACT right there! Actually stop and think about this, seriously!

[@khaalislee4454]

@@Ash_Hudsonreading isnt difficult

[@Ewan661]

@@Gadget-Walkmen my guy touch some grass

[@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.

[@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

[@dannygreenland4853]

Some interesting info about Yasuke nice video

[@MMZS528]

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

[@mrquake7789]

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

[@shaul558]

Our captivity is ending AHAYAH has redeemed Jacob

[@seanbigay1042]

That portrait of Yasuke, arms crossed across his chest, looking directly at the viewer ... he just looks so ... Klingon.

[@elwoodwhite2499]

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

[@noticemesenpai69]

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

[@rodneylove8027]

Isnt there a movie in the works on Yasuke?

[@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.

[@hmuphilly9129]

Yasuke would kill that coward who pushed the 84 year old elderly man...

[@tom8824]

Thomas Lockley does look like Thomas Cruise.

[@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.

[@vng]

Whether Yasuke is a samurai or not is really up to individual interpretation, since there is no real definition of what is a samurai in those times, when anyone could grab a sword to join a warlord's army and move up the ranks. Given the very few records of Yasuke in history, much of what was said about Yasuke is basically speculation. The problem is when speculation is presented (unintentionally or otherwise) in a way that it can be misunderstood as historical fact. I think it would be wise to clearly state in the video what are the recorded facts, and what are the "this is what we think actually happened, based on the facts." Yasuke is signficant as being the first African recorded in Japanese historical records, as being the first non-Japanese serving under a renown Japanese warlord. However, it would be stretching things a bit to call Yasuke "legendary" unless we are using the meaning of "legendary" as in "Authurian legends." I also don't know if the author of the book is an authority on history, since I cannot find out much about his educational background other than that he probably did a postgraduate course at Kanda University of International Studies, which means he likely has a postgrad degree in English teaching from there. This means he might not have actually been doing History at the masters or PhD level.

[@GatekeeperGuardian-wv3cd]

God, I really hope The Shogunate doesn't shut off comments just because some people decided to be racist after the Assassin's Creed Shadows reveal

[@TheShogunate]

Luckily, comments like that usually get automatically flagged and hidden. But I will be on the lookout.

[@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?

[@adedamolaayo-onita8603]

Imagine Izzy playing this character in a movie

[@eithanrafer6556]

Imagine Ngannou or Jones instead 😳

[@LeBrow420]

Imagine DC

[@allgoo1990]

It' not hard to imagine Yasuke was extremely good at Sumo wrestling which (watching) was Nobunaga's favorite past time.

[@yoloswaggins7121]

Interesting that you say that. There is a painting from 1600s that depicts a black man wrestling a Japanese man in the presence of a Noble samurai. Nobody knows who painted it or what it is supposed to depict but some believe that it is Yasuke sumo wrestling to entertain Nobunaga who is presumably the noble samurai watching on

[@jprosey]

so this is the real afro samurai. great video very cool

[@MoonlightSonata88]

Yusuke didn't have an afro. Afro samurai was just a fictional black character made around Asian culture. Nothing related.

[@Gilsao157]

If Yasuke was a samurai, why wasn't he given a surname, since all samurai where required to have one. Why during the defeat of Oda Nobunaga, he wasn't ordered to commit seppuku like the other Nobunaga samurais. When he joined Oda son, on his defeat, why he wasn't, again, ordered to commit seppuku.

[@bayek9869]

Leanordo Da Vinci didn’t make weapons. Didn’t see you say anything then…

[@Ash_Hudson]

​@@bayek9869Yeah, but we weren't playing as Leonardo Da Vinci. That's the difference.

[@khaalislee4454]

@@Ash_Hudsonits still all fiction. Not playing as him doesn’t make what he did for the assassins any less false or ridiculous. Braindead copy paste opinion dude.

[@nessmess500]

So is anybody going to mention the fact that Thomas Lockely looks exactly like Tom Cruise?