Who is (and is NOT) a Samurai? - Historian Interview

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We interview a historian to understand who is and is not a Samurai! Paul (aka u/ParallelPain from r/AskHistorians) is a graduate student at the University of Sophia in Tokyo with a focus on the history of the Edo period. Learn more about history:

This is a complex topic given the fact that the Samurai span a period of over 1000 years. As such we begin with a broad overview of the history of Japan from the Heian to the Kamakura, Muromachi, Sengoku, and Edo eras. We then look at how the Samurai evolved across these periods, from court servants to a heriditary warrior caste. Given that most media covers the Samurai of the Sengoku Jidai, we specifically explore what it meant to be a Samurai in this era. This includes their role in the army and how foreigners may have fit in. Finally we cover the specific historicity of Yasuke as a Samurai.

----- Relevant posts from u/ParallelPain -----



----- Historical References of Yasuke -----
Chronicles of Lord Nobunaga (Shinchōkōki):
2nd Month 23rd Day [March 27, 1581]. A black monk* came from the Christian countries. He looks about 26-7 of age and his entire body black as a cow. He's body is really well-built, and furthermore has the strength of over ten men. The padre brought him here to see Lord Nobunaga.
I'm really grateful to be able to see such rare things among the three countries that's never been seen before, and in in such detail, all thanks to Lord Nobunaga's great influence. (*Wiki's translation use "page" but it's probably wrong. In this case Ōta Gyūichi probably mean shaved/hairless.)

Letter from Luis Frois, April 14, 1581:
The Monday after Easter, Nobunaga was in the capital, but a great number of people gathered in front of our casa to see the cafre [black slave], creating such a ruckus that people were hurt and almost died from thrown rocks. Even though we had lots of guards at the gates, it was difficult holding people back from breaking it down. They all say if we showed for money, one would easily earn in a short time 8,000 to 10,000 cruzado. Nobunaga also wanted to see him, and so sent for him, so Padre Organtino brought him. With great fuss, he couldn't believe this was the natural colour and not by human means, so ordered him to take off all his clothes above his belt. Nobunaga's sons also called him over, and everyone was very happy. Nobunaga's nephew the current commander of Ōsaka also saw this and was so happy he gave him 10,000 coins.

Letter from Lorenzo Mesia, October 8, 1581:
The padre brought one cafre with him, and no one in the capital has see before, and they all admired him, and countless people came to see him. Nobunaga himself saw him and was surprised, and thought it was painted with ink and did not believe he was black from birth. He see him from time to time, and he knew some Japanese, so he never got tired of talking to him, and he was strong and knew some tricks so Nobunaga was very happy. Now he's his strong patron, and to let everyone know he has has a someone show go with him around the city. The people say Nobunaga would make him a tono*. (*Japanese word for lord or sir)

Matsudaira Ietada's Diary, Tenshō 10, fourth month:
Nineteenth [May 11, 1582], day of Teibi. Raining. His highness gave him a stipend. They say deus [the Jesuits] presented him. He had the black man with him. His body was black like ink, 6.2 feet tall. They say his name's Yasuke.

Luis Frois' report to Jesuit Society, November 5, 1582:
And the cafre the Visitador [Alessandro Valignano] gave to Nobunaga on his request, after his death went to the mansion of his heir and fought there for a long time, but when one of Akechi's vassals got close and asked him give up his sword, he handed it over. The vassals went and asked Akechi what to do with the cafre, he said the cafre is like an animal and knows nothing, and he's not Japanese so don't kill him and give him to the church of the Indian padre. With this we were a bit relieved.

Entry of Yasuke in the Maeda Clan version of the Shinchōkōki:
This black man called Yasuke was given a stipend, a private residence, etc., and was given a short sword with a decorative sheath. He is sometimes seen in the role of weapon bearer.

Timestampts:
00:00 Intro
01:54 Heian Period
05:59 Kamakura Period
09:41 Muromachi Period
11:59 Sengoku Period
13:37 Edo Period
15:19 Samurai Servants (Early Heian)
17:27 Samurai Mercenaries (Late Heian)
19:55 Samurai Caste (Kamakura)
26:02 Samurai Caste (Sengoku)
32:28 Samurai Caste (Edo)
37:05 Samurai in the Army
52:21 Could foreigners become Samurai?
57:34 Was Yasuke a Samurai?
01:11:45 Outro

#history
#documentary
#japan