YASUKE THE BLACK SAMURAI

Born with the birth name Yasufe, but today known as Yasuke was born in Portuguese Mozambique. He was brought the 16^th century Japan as a slave to Jesuit Padre Visitador Alessandro Valignano. Though he was able to leave them and service the warlord, Oda Nobunaga, he would later earn his swords and the title of a honored samurai warrior. During his life Yasuke was able to become one of the current ruler at the time Oda Nobunaga’s most trusted attendants and earned for himself the name Yasuke. Yasuke came to Japan in 1579 as a servant and was appointed the Visitor of the Jesuit missions in the Indies meaning South and East Asia. He traveled with Valiganano and was able to make an impact on those he came in contact with. Many people in Japan were astounded by the color of his skin and did not believe it was truly brown. So at one point they asked for him to bath his skin until they saw that he was truly brown.