Episode 78: The African Samurai, Yasuke

Yasuke was a remarkable figure in Japanese history, an African man who rose to become a samurai in the late 16th century. Originally from Mozambique, Yasuke was brought to Japan by a Jesuit missionary named Alessandro Valignano, but his talents and strength caught the attention of the powerful warlord Oda Nobunaga. Nobunaga was so impressed with Yasuke that he made him a retainer and samurai. Yasuke's life was full of intrigue and adventure, including battles, political machinations, and ultimately his mysterious disappearance from the historical record. His story offers a fascinating glimpse into a little-known chapter of Japanese history, and raises questions about race, identity, and power in feudal Japan. Listen now to hear his full story! - Thank you for listening Weirdos! Show the podcast some love by rating, reviewing, subscribing and sharing it today. Your support means so much to us. Let's stay in touch 👇 Email: [email protected] IG: @historyforweirdos Website: historyforweirdos.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices