Yasuke

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"You are still a frog in a well who knows nothing of the sea. The oceans fill with new ships, but they all come from the same river: greed, power, vengeance."

―Yasuke to Fujibayashi Naoe

Yasuke (弥助; born c. 1555), also referred to by Portuguese Jesuits under the name "Diogo", was an African samurai who served the Japanese warlord Oda Nobunaga. In 1579, the Portuguese Empire brought him as a slave to the port city of Sakai. According to the Chronicle of Nobunaga, he entered into Oda's service a few years later after capturing his attention as the first African man he had ever met and impressing him with his strong stature and intelligence.

In 1581, he and his lord invaded Iga Province as part of the Tenshō Iga War, devastating the region. Despite having destroyed Fujibayashi Naoe's home, Yasuke later allied himself with the young Iga Assassin, assisting her in not just intelligence-gathering but assassinations as well.

Personality and traits

Yasuke was a thoughtful and intelligent man, who was able to learn the Japanese people's language, customs, and martial arts quickly upon arriving in their country. His respect for the local culture enabled his adaptation to his new environment. These qualities, alongside his physical prowess and aptitude in combat, were what earned him Oda Nobunaga's respect. His down-to-earth sensibilities complemented the fiery and passionate temperament of his later ally Fujibayashi Naoe.

Having personally experienced societies worlds apart from another, Yasuke nonetheless observed that they all shared common features no matter their cultural differences. Whether it was the world of his homeland, that of his Portuguese slavers, or that of the Japanese warlords, self-interest, power politics, and violence seemed to be the universal language. It was Naoe who challenged him to discover through his own choices that a world not dictated by these features was possible.

Skills and equipment

On the battlefield, Yasuke was a powerful warrior capable of slaying multiple enemies with ease. Apart from his mastery of the katana, his great physical strength permitted his use of the kanabō while he was also skilled in the arquebus.

Behind the scenes

Yasuke is a historical figure who will star as one of the two protagonists of the 2024 video game Assassin's Creed: Shadows. He is being portrayed by the Zimbabwean actor Tongayi Chirisa.

Gallery

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  Concept art
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  Concept art
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  Promotional art
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  Promotional art
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  Closeup of Yasuke
• Yasuke meeting with Mitsuhide alongside his masters Valignano and Fróis
  Yasuke meeting with Mitsuhide alongside his masters Valignano and Fróis
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  Yasuke accompanying Nobunaga during the invasion of Iga
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  Yasuke in his armor leading Oda clan soldiers
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  Closeup of Yasuke during the attack on Iga

Appearances

• Echoes of History – Shadows (first mentioned)
• Assassin's Creed: Shadows (first appearance)
  • Thrown to the Dogs
  • Claws of Awaji