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African Samurai: The True Story of Yasuke, a Legendary Black Warrior in Feudal Japan Kindle Edition
When Yasuke arrived in Japan in the late 1500s, he had already traveled much of the known world. Kidnapped as a child, he had ended up a servant and bodyguard to the head of the Jesuits in Asia, with whom he traversed India and China learning multiple languages as he went. His arrival in Kyoto, however, literally caused a riot. Most Japanese people had never seen an African man before, and many of them saw him as the embodiment of the black-skinned Buddha. Among those who were drawn to his presence was 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 and ascending 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 African Samurai presents the never-before-told biography of this unique figure of the sixteenth century, one whose travels between countries and cultures offers a new perspective on race in world history and a vivid portrait of life in medieval Japan.
“Fast-paced, action-packed writing. . . . 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)
“Eminently readable. . . . a worthwhile and entertaining work.” —Publishers Weekly
“A unique story of a unique man, and yet someone with whom we can all identify.” —Jack Weatherford, New York Times–bestselling author of Genghis Khan
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherHanover Square Press
- Publication dateApril 30, 2019
- File size17560 KB
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From the Publisher
Editorial Reviews
Review
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"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)"The solid scholarship on and imaginative treatment of Yasuke's life make this both a worthwhile and entertaining work.
-- "Publishers Weekly"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"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"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)"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"About the Author
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.
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.
Product details
- ASIN : B079S317V7
- Publisher : Hanover Square Press; Original edition (April 30, 2019)
- Publication date : April 30, 2019
- Language : English
- File size : 17560 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Sticky notes : On Kindle Scribe
- Print length : 518 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #143,521 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors
Geoffrey Girard writes thrillers, historicals, and dark speculative fiction for adults and young adult readers. Simon and Schuster published two Girard novels simultaneously in 2013: CAIN'S BLOOD, a techno thriller, and PROJECT CAIN, a companion novel for teen/YA readers which was nominated for a Bram Stoker award for "Superior Achievement in a Young Adult Novel."
Girard's short fiction has appeared in several best-selling anthologies and magazines, including Writers of the Future (a 2003 winner) and the Stoker-nominated Dark Faith anthology.
Born in Germany and shaped in New Jersey, Geoffrey currently lives in Ohio and is the English Department Chair at a private boys' high school. He has a BA in English literature from Washington College and an MA in creative writing from Miami University.
For more information, visit www.GeoffreyGirard.com.
Thomas Lockley is Associate Professor at Nihon University College of Law in Tokyo, where he teaches courses about the the international and multicultural history of Japan and East Asia. He's published research papers and articles, including the first in the world regarding the life of Yasuke. He has been a Visiting Scholar at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London.
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The true story of a Black samurai.