African Samurai: The True Story of Yasuke, a Legendary Black Warrior in Feudal Japan

Girard, Geoffrey; Lockley, Thomas

ISBN 10: 1982645121 ISBN 13: 9781982645120

Publisher: Hanover Square Press, 2019

Synopsis

The remarkable life of history's first foreign-born samurai and his astonishing journey from Northern Africa to the heights of Japanese society

When Yasuke arrived in Japan in the late 1500s, he had already traveled much of the known world. Kidnapped as a child, and trained into a boy soldier in India, he had ended up an indentured servant and bodyguard to the head of the Jesuits in Asia, with whom he visited India, China and the budding Catholic missions in Japan. From the volatile port city of Nagasaki to travel on pirate-infested waters, he lived it all and learned more every day. His arrival in Kyoto, however, literally caused a riot. Most Japanese people had never seen an African man before, and many of them viewed him as the embodiment of the black-skinned (in local traditions) Buddha or a local war god or demon. Among those who were drawn to his presence were Lord Nobunaga, head of the most powerful clan in Japan, who made Yasuke a samurai in his court. Soon, he was learning the traditions of Japan's martial arts, fighting in battles and ascending to the upper echelons of Japanese society.

In the four hundred years since, Yasuke has been known in Japan largely as a legendary, perhaps mythical, figure. Now, combining all the primary sources for the first time, African Samurai presents the never-before-told biography of this unique figure of the sixteenth century, one whose travels between countries, cultures and classes offers a new perspective on race in world history and a vivid portrait of life, faith and war in medieval Japan.

About this title

About the Author

Geoffrey Girard is the author of more than a dozen books. Born in Germany and shaped in New Jersey, he currently teaches in Ohio. He was selected for a Writers of the Future prize in 2003, and his debut novel was nominated for a Stoker Award. He has an MFA from Miami University.

Thomas Lockley is an associate professor at Nihon University College of Law in Tokyo, where he teaches courses about the international and multicultural history of Japan and East Asia. He has published several dozen research papers and articles, including the first in the world regarding the life of Yasuke. At the time of writing, 2018, he was Visiting Scholar at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. He and his family live in Chiba, Japan.

Gary Furlong grew up in Wexford, Ireland. Throughout his life he has worn many hats working as a teacher, puppeteer, improv artist, actor, and singer. He can perform in general British, general American, and an Irish accent to a native level and can speak Japanese fluently. He now works full time as an audiobook narrator and voice actor from his home in Ireland.

Review

African Samurai certainly alters my understanding of African and Japanese history. Yasuke, a sixteenth-century African travels to India and on to Japan where he becomes an accomplished samurai. Beyond the African stereotypes as either slaves or mythic noble savages, Yasuke emerges as an important and incredibly overlooked force in history-warrior, explorer, polyglot. African Samurai gripped me from the opening sentence-a unique story of a unique man and yet someone with whom we can all identify.

-- "Jack Weatherford, New York Times bestselling author"

African Samurai underscores what can only be defined as global blackness. The story of Yasuke's journey into the politics and culture of feudal Japan is filled with excitement, danger, and many questions. How was this man who spent his childhood near the Nile able to follow the river of geography to India, China, and eventually Japan? In African Samurai words flex their muscles and pay tribute to a man of physical strength and combat skills...The writing is seductive and the reader sees the world through Yasuke's eyes. There is much to learn about the wonder of his life. His story is a sharp blade cutting into invisibility.

-- "E. Ethelbert Miller, award-winning African-American poet"

Drawing on abundant sources, including archival material, the authors offer a panoramic view of politics, sex, religion, and war...A rich portrait of a brutal age.

-- "Kirkus Reviews"

The solid scholarship on and imaginative treatment of Yasuke's life make this both a worthwhile and entertaining work.

-- "Publishers Weekly"

This book is not only the best account in English of Yasuke, the famous African samurai. It's also a delightful introduction to the vibrant and multicultural world of Asian maritime history. Written novelistically, with a light scholarly touch...Exciting and informative!

-- "Tonio Andrade, author of The Gunpowder Age"

The title may seem rather implausible, but Lockley and Girard dispel any doubts as they tell the remarkable story of this legendary, world-traveling African warrior in the war-torn islands of sixteenth-century Japan...An exciting and illuminating tale of action and intrigue.

-- "Booklist (starred review)"

With fast-paced, action-packed writing, Lockley and Girard offer a new and important biography and an incredibly moving study of medieval Japan and solid perspective on its unification. Highly recommended.

-- "Library Journal (starred review)"

A gripping tale of politics, war, and religion that reads like an adventure story...Lockley has done a terrific job in bringing his tale to life.

-- "Dave Rear, author of A Less Boring History of the World"

About this edition

• Publisher: Hanover Square Press
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 1982645121
• ISBN 13: 9781982645120
• Binding: Audio CD
• Number of pages: 1