Welcome to 2nacheki and a special welcome to the African history series. A series
where we look at the great men and women who paved the way for us today. In today’s video
we will be looking at the African Samurai, we will be looking at the life of Yasuke.
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Yasuke's origins are somewhat shrouded in mystery with many theories of where he came
from. One theory believes that he was from the Yao people from Mozambique. The Yao people were
just coming into contact with the Portuguese at the time, which might account for his name:
that is, Yao added to the common Japanese male name suffix of suke getting to his name Yao-suke.
Another theory states that he was from South Sudan, this is mainly because of his looks,
his deep melanated skin and his height. He was thought to be from the Dinka people
who are well known all over the world for their complexion and tall height.
Another theory states that he was from Ethiopia. At that particular time, Ethiopians who were
not Jewish Christian, or Muslim were often sold into slavery and called cafre by the Portuguese.
According to this theory, his original name might be the Amharic name Yisake or the
Portuguese name Isaque, derived from Isaac. Not much is known about his early life,
but it's believed that he was sold into slavery and taken to India.
While in India, he was purchased by the Italian Jesuit missionary Alessandro Valignano, who was
in need of a servant. Valignano was impressed by Yasuke's intelligence,
strength, and adaptability, and he brought him to Japan in 1579.
When Yasuke arrived in Japan, he caused quite a stir. At the time, Japan was a closed society
that was suspicious of outsiders. The Japanese people had never seen an African person before,
and they were fascinated by Yasuke's appearance. According to historical accounts,
Yasuke was six feet tall, with skin the color of charcoal and curly black hair. His size and
strength made him an object of curiosity, and many people wanted to see him up close.
Yasuke's story takes an unexpected turn when he meets Oda Nobunaga,
one of the most powerful warlords in Japan. Nobunaga was intrigued
by Yasuke's strength and intelligence, and he decided to make him his personal
attendant. As Yasuke served Nobunaga, he gained the warlord's trust and admiration.
Nobunaga was impressed by Yasuke's loyalty and his willingness to learn about Japanese culture.
Eventually, Yasuke was granted the honor of becoming a samurai. This was a significant
achievement, as samurai were the elite warrior class in Japan, and it was rare
for an outsider to be accepted into their ranks. Yasuke was given a suit of armor,
a sword. He was now a full-fledged samurai and a member of Nobunaga's inner circle.
As a samurai, Yasuke served Nobunaga faithfully, and he participated in several battles and
campaigns. He fought alongside other samurai and proved himself to be a capable warrior.
Yasuke's status as a samurai also gave him a unique perspective on Japanese culture. He
learned about the customs, traditions, and language of Japan, and he became a bridge
between the Japanese and African cultures. However, Yasuke's life as a samurai was not
without its challenges. He faced discrimination and prejudice from some Japanese people who did
not believe that a foreigner could be a true samurai. Despite this, Yasuke remained committed
to his duties and his loyalty to Nobunaga. In 1582, Nobunaga was betrayed by one of
his own generals and committed suicide. Yasuke was there when it happened,
and he was one of the few people who escaped the massacre that followed. After Nobunaga's death,
Yasuke's life took a dark turn. He left Japan and his fate is unknown, but his legacy lived on.
Yasuke's story is a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit. As a foreigner
and a person of color in a country that was not his own, he faced incredible challenges but rose
above them to become a respected samurai and trusted advisor to powerful warlords.
Yasuke's legacy lives on, and his story continues to inspire people around the world. He was a
true trailblazer and a pioneer, who broke down barriers and paved the way for future generations.
We can all learn from his example and strive to overcome the challenges we face in our own lives.
Thank you for watching and if you haven’t subscribed please do so and
hit the notification bell. If you enjoyed the video give it a thumbs up. Also make sure to
watch our other videos which celebrate our mama Africa.WE have the mysteries of Africa series
and the Amazing people of Africa series. It’s been me Linda from 2natravel. Be sure
to check out my channel. Until the next video stay safe and ill see you then.