A fascinating account of an African man brought to feudal Japan by Jesuit missionaries who became a samurai . . .

Yasuke is a legendary figure, subject of novels, manga, anime, and movies. But he was a real historical figure, an African man who became the bodyguard and servant of a high-ranking Jesuit missionary to Japan, who "gifted" him to a Japanese lord . . . Who made him a samurai. This book recounts what is known about Yasuke's life and times, and offers conjectures about his life after he disappears from the historical record. Absolutely fascinating!