Assassin's Creed Shadows and protagonist Yasuke: All about the black samurai and his place in history

Contents:

• The Original Yasuke
• Yasuke in Assassin's Creed Shadows
• Yasuke in Popular Culture

On May 15, Ubisoft officially unveiled the new part of the Assassin’s Creed series, previously known under the codename Red. The game is called Assassin's Creed Shadows. Set in feudal Japan at the end of the 16th century, this game will feature two main characters for the first time since Assassin's Creed: Syndicate. Naoe, a female ninja who prefers a stealthy approach, and Yasuke, a black samurai who confidently fights in open combat. These characters will add variety to the gameplay and allow players to choose different playstyles, making Assassin's Creed Shadows an anticipated event for fans of the franchise. We decided to explore the true identity of Yasuke, the first true protagonist of the series. Yasuke, an African by birth, rose to prominence in Japan in the 16th century. He was a samurai who served under the daimyo Oda Nobunaga. His unique story has captured the attention of historians and culture enthusiasts, as he has become a symbol of the interaction of different cultures. In our research, we will examine his life, achievements, and influence on Japanese history.

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The Real Yasuke

Little is known about Yasuke's life before his arrival in Japan. There is much debate about his origins. Thomas Lockley, the author of a biography of the black warrior, suggests that Yasuke was most likely born in what is now Mozambique. In the 16th century, he was enslaved by the Portuguese, who were actively colonizing the region and using it as an important staging post on the route to India. This information highlights the complex historical connections between Africa and Asia, as well as Yasuke's importance as a figure representing cultural exchange between the continents.

At this time, the future samurai had a different name. According to one version, the Portuguese called the young slave Isaac, and this name eventually transformed into "Yasuke" in Japan.

Before arriving in the Land of the Rising Sun, Yasuke visited India, where he met his first benefactor, the Jesuit missionary Alessandro Valignano. Research shows that by the time they met, Yasuke was likely already a free man thanks to his merits, particularly his military exploits. This meeting played a significant role in his subsequent fate and journey to Japan, where his unique story continued to unfold.

Valignano was traveling to Japan as part of a mission, and his participation became especially important in the context of the feudal warfare engulfing the islands. Given his scholarship and role as a preacher, he needed a servant skilled in the use of arms and not given to philosophical reflection. Yasuke, a man of uncertain status—whether slave or free—filled this role. In 1579, missionaries arrived in Japan, which at that time was not yet a closed country, as it would be in the 17th century. Japan actively traded with the Portuguese and Spanish, including slave traders. Yasuke was likely not the first Black African to reach the Japanese archipelago. Valignano and his companion spent the first two years on the island of Kyushu, and in 1581 they traveled to Kyoto, the country's capital, under the control of Oda Nobunaga. These events played an important role in the history of Japanese missionary activity and cultural exchanges between Japan and the West.

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Oda Nobunaga was an outstanding military leader of the late 16th and early 17th centuries who played a key role in the unification of Japan. He became one of the three great military leaders who managed to end the long internecine wars between clans and establish the foundations of a unified Japanese state. Nobunaga is known for his innovative warfare tactics and reforms that contributed to the country's political stability and economic development. His legacy continues to influence Japanese history and culture.

After Nobunaga's death, his legacy was continued by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the son of a peasant who became a prominent figure in Japanese political history. Hideyoshi played a key role in unifying the country and strengthening his power, which predetermined the further development of the Japanese state. The third significant figure in this process was Tokugawa Ieyasu, who completed the unification of Japan and founded the Tokugawa clan. His reign lasted over 200 years, significantly influencing Japanese history and culture.

All three generals frequently appear in fiction and video games. For example, Oda Nobunaga is featured as the leader of Japan in Sid Meier's Civilization 5. These historical figures attract attention due to their unique strategies and influence on Japanese history, making them popular for creating stories and game mechanics.

Valignano visited Nobunaga to obtain permission to leave Japan. However, the meeting with the renowned commander led to unexpected consequences for Yasuke. Nobunaga was struck by Yasuke's skin color and at first couldn't believe it was natural and not the result of dyeing. The first unifier of Japan was also impressed by Yasuke's physical appearance; according to the chronicles of the "Records of Prince Nobunaga" and the diary of Matsudaira Ietada, he stood 188 cm tall, was robust, and in the prime of life. Valignano likely taught Yasuke Japanese, which enabled him to converse with the daimyo. Nobunaga, interested in this unusual foreigner, asked the missionary to relieve Yasuke of his previous duties so that he could serve him, Oda. Valignano, given his position, could not refuse and agreed. At this meeting, Yasuke received a new name, which became familiar to the Japanese and entered history. Yasuke: Samurai or Servant? The question of Yasuke's status in Japanese society is the subject of much debate. Legal division into classes in Japan began to develop later, under Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and was finally established during the Tokugawa era. However, in the medieval period, the concepts of "samurai" and "warrior" had similar meanings. Anyone who served with arms could be considered a samurai. Thus, Yasuke can be considered the first black representative of this class. He was not completely free, but he was not in slavery either, which underscores his unique position in Japanese history.

Having entered Nobunaga's service, Yasuke received financial support, his own home, and a wakizashi—a short samurai sword. He soon began carrying out various assignments for his daimyo, and also accompanied him on military campaigns and tours of his domains. This was an example of social mobility in the 16th century, when a person could rise from slavery to samurai. However, Yasuke's service to his lord was short-lived. In 1582, Nobunaga faced the betrayal of one of his vassals, Akechi Mitsuhide. According to the traditions of the time, a nobleman who had been betrayed was expected to commit seppuku—ritual suicide—so that his death would be determined solely by his own actions, not by the mercy of an enemy. Nobunaga committed seppuku at the Honnō Monastery in Kyoto, and Yasuke was present at this tragic event. According to historian Thomas Lockley, legend has it that Yasuke hid Nobunaga's head to prevent it from falling into the hands of his traitorous vassal. This gruesome trophy could have become a symbol of power for Akechi and confirmed his claim. However, the head was never found, and Mitsuhide himself soon disappeared from history, never achieving the status of the one he betrayed. Thus, the story of Nobunaga and Yasuke continues to excite the minds of researchers, leaving many questions about loyalties and betrayal in the era of the samurai.

After his master's seppuku, Yasuke joined Oda Nobutada's son to confront Akechi. However, the forces of the two sides were unequal: Nobutada had only two hundred warriors, while Akechi had 13,000. Yasuke was captured but escaped execution. His fate was to be decided by Akechi himself. The warlord ordered Yasuke sent to the Nanbanji Catholic Church in Kyoto, claiming that he was "not a Japanese, but a black slave, an animal who understands nothing," and therefore did not deserve to die.

Yasuke successfully reached the missionaries' retreat, but his story is lost after that. Nothing is known about Yasuke's subsequent fate. Perhaps the writers of Assassin's Creed Shadows will soon fill this gap, and on November 15th, players will learn exactly what happened to this unique samurai.

Yasuke in Assassin's Creed Shadows

The announcement trailer for the new game showcases key events in Yasuke's life. We can see the protagonist meeting with Oda Nobunaga, as well as his participation in the commander's military campaign against the Iga province, famous for its mountainous terrain and rugged areas inhabited by ninja. These elements highlight the character's historical significance and create a tense atmosphere that will draw players into Yasuke's unique story.

Brooke Davis, narrative director of Assassin's Creed Shadows, emphasizes that Yasuke's character is connected to numerous historical figures of the era, including Japanese warlords and Portuguese merchants. Yasuke serves as a complete contrast to the game's second protagonist, the shinobi Naoe, as he is an outsider to Japan and has little knowledge of its culture and traditions. This creates a unique perspective, similar to the player's experience when entering an unfamiliar environment. Furthermore, judging by the trailer and developer commentary, Yasuke has a more cheerful personality compared to Naoe, who hails from the Iga province—the region where Nobunaga suppressed the rebellion. Thus, the contrast between the characters enhances the emotional component of the plot and immerses the player in the historical atmosphere.

The game's characters will differ in playstyle, despite the developers' assurances that Yasuke will be able to act stealthily, and Naoe in open combat. However, their roles are determined by their status and physical characteristics. Yasuke, as a samurai, prefers open combat, parries blows, engages in duels, and demonstrates spectacular executions. Naoe, as a ninja, is focused on stealth and prefers to deliver a single, precise blow with a tanto, a Japanese short dagger. Yasuke will also have a unique weapon, demonstrated in the trailer: the kanabō. This is a massive metal club with spikes, designed to destroy enemy armor and knock them off their horses.

While many plot details remain unknown, it is difficult to determine how much the virtual Yasuke will differ from his historical counterpart. It is possible that his story in the game Assassin’s Creed Shadows will continue beyond the facts we know. It is likely that the main part of Yasuke and Naoe’s adventures will unfold after the samurai is sent to Nanbanji Temple. At the same time, we can expect the game to include important events from Yasuke’s real biography, such as his significant meeting with Nobunaga, the devastation of Iga Province, and his master’s seppuku. These historical moments will add depth and context to the gameplay, allowing players to better understand Yasuke's fate.

The story of the black samurai in the new Assassin's Creed game will likely be based on actual historical events and will be more realistic compared to other interpretations of Yasuke in video games. This will allow players to delve deeper into the culture and era in which this character lived and reveal new aspects of his life and achievements, making the story more engaging and informative.

Yasuke in Popular Culture

The story of Yasuke, the first black samurai, is captured in various sources of both Japanese and Western origin. However, over time, it was forgotten or perceived as merely an exotic detail of a turbulent era. A new wave of interest in his story began in 1968 with the publication of the children's book "Kurosuke" by Yoshio Kurusu. This work helped draw attention to Yasuke's unique fate and restore his place in Japanese history. Yasuke has become a symbol of cultural exchange and diversity, and his life inspires people around the world.

The 1960s became an era of intense struggle for civil rights for African Americans in the United States, which had a significant impact on events around the world. In 1963, Martin Luther King, who became a symbol of this movement, delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech. In 1964, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and in 1968, he tragically died. These events highlight the importance of the struggle for equality and justice, being key moments in US history and world politics.

The book "Kurusu" gained considerable popularity and was awarded the Japan Children's Writers Association Prize in 1969. This work became a milestone in Japanese children's literature and continues to captivate readers with its unique style and profound themes.

Two years after the events, Yasuke became the central figure of the novel "Kurosuke," written by Shusaku Endo, a renowned author best known for his novel "Silence," which was adapted for the screen by Martin Scorsese. Unlike "Kurosuke," "Kurosuke" presents the image of a black samurai in a satirical manner, lending the work particular depth and multilayeredness. Black characters have become increasingly prominent in Japanese settings, confirming their significance in pop culture. A prime example is the hero of the popular manga and anime "Afro Samurai," who was inspired by Yasuke, the first black samurai in Japan. In the 2010s, Yasuke also became a video game character, further cementing his status in the gaming industry. In the action RPG Nioh (2017), developed by Team Ninja, the black samurai serves as the bodyguard of the main villain, who seeks to resurrect Nobunaga. The story continues in Nioh 2, released in 2020, where Yasuke once again plays a prominent role. These examples highlight the growing popularity of Black characters in Japanese media and their contribution to the diversity of the cultural context.

2021 was a significant year for the rise of Yasuke in popular culture. This year, Yasuke was included among the 37 heroes in Samurai Warriors 5, a reboot of the well-known franchise dedicated to samurai battles against hordes of enemies. Also in 2021, Guilty Gear Strive was released, introducing a new character, Nagoriyuki, largely inspired by the black samurai. Additionally, the Yasuke anime series debuted on Netflix. However, in this project, the hero fights mythical creatures such as werewolves and vampires, significantly distancing him from historical reality. Yasuke's popularity in various media underscores his influence and relevance in the modern cultural context.

Following the announcement of Assassin's Creed Shadows, Yasuke has been the target of criticism online. Nevertheless, Ubisoft Quebec managed to maintain historical accuracy: Yasuke is a real person, and his biography fits well with the game's plot. However, some gamers perceive the choice of a Black character as an attempt to follow current trends in inclusion and diversity in the gaming industry. In addition, among fans of Japanese culture and the Japanese themselves, the fact that Yasuke has already become a common character in pop culture is causing discontent, which reduces interest in his image in a new interpretation.

We invite you to evaluate the developers' efforts on the day of Assassin's Creed Shadows' release. This is a moment when both praise and criticism can be expressed, as has often been the case with Ubisoft games in recent years. See how the game lives up to expectations and fits into the Assassin’s Creed series.

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Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a new game in the series that immerses players in the world of feudal Japan. In this project, the developers offer a unique take on the history of assassins, combining elements of traditional Japanese culture with immersive gameplay. Players will explore picturesque landscapes, engage in dynamic battles, and uncover the secrets of ancient clans. New mechanics, such as stealth and parkour, promise to make the gaming experience even more engaging. Assassin's Creed Shadows not only continues the traditions of the franchise, but also brings fresh ideas, making it one of the most anticipated games of the year.