by The trailer release of Ubisoft’s upcoming video game “Assassin’s Creed Shadows,” featuring Yasuke — a figure often mythologized as a samurai — has ignited significant debate. The focus is sharp: Yasuke was a slave before his association with the legendary Oda Nobunaga, and not the samurai as many have been led to believe. This revelation challenges both historical perceptions and the portrayal within the game, sparking discussions on accuracy and representation in storytelling.
Ubisoft’s announcement of “Assassin’s Creed: Shadows” featuring Yasuke, a historical black figure, as one of its protagonists, has stirred considerable controversy. The game, set in feudal Japan, has been criticized by gamers and historians alike who argue that portraying Yasuke, who was never officially a samurai, as a main character reflects a “woke” agenda and disrespects historical truth.
Yasuke’s story begins far from the shores of Japan. Arriving in Japan in 1579 as an attendant to the Jesuit missionary Alessandro Valignano, Yasuke’s African heritage and imposing stature drew immediate attention. He served under the famed Japanese daimyō, Oda Nobunaga, between 1581 and 1582 during the tumultuous Sengoku period. His role was that of a koshō, a page, for about 15 months until Nobunaga’s tragic demise in the Honnō-ji Incident.
Historical records such as the letters of Jesuit missionary Luís Fróis, Ōta Gyūichi’s “Shinchō Kōki” (Nobunaga’s official chronicle), and others offer only fleeting glimpses into Yasuke’s life in Japan, which spanned approximately three years. These sources suggest Yasuke was initially brought to Japan as a servant and not as a free man or a warrior of any standing.
Contrary to popular belief, Yasuke was not an “African Samurai.” He did not hold samurai status; he was merely permitted to carry weapons. This distinction is crucial in understanding the social and cultural barriers of the time, which did not readily allow for such significant leaps in status, especially for someone of foreign descent and enslaved background.
His life took a dramatic turn when he was presented to Oda Nobunaga. Nobunaga, intrigued by Yasuke’s appearance, had him scrub his skin, mistakenly thinking it was inked. Recognizing his genuine skin color, Nobunaga took an interest in Yasuke, eventually giving him residence and duties typically reserved for higher-ranking retainers. However, Yasuke’s elevation was short-lived. Following Nobunaga’s death in 1582, Yasuke fought alongside Nobunaga’s forces but was later captured. His fate after this capture remains largely unknown, shrouded in mystery and speculation.
Yasuke’s story is emblematic of the complex interactions between Japan and the broader world during a period of intense internal conflict and cultural flux. His presence in Japan challenges many preconceived notions about the isolation and homogeneity of feudal Japan. As “Assassin’s Creed: Shadows” brings his story to a wider audience, it invites players and historians alike to reassess the narratives surrounding figures like Yasuke, who navigated multiple worlds, each with its own set of challenges and prejudices.
