Clearing Up the Yasuke Samurai Debate

[sigina ✝]

With all the ongoing arguments about Yasuke being a Samurai or not, maybe it’s time to finally clear things up. And for anyone who’s just curious about the history from that time, here's some insight.

The Flexibility of Samurai Status During the Sengoku Jidai

During the Sengoku Jidai, social structures were in flux, and the definition of "Samurai" became more flexible. Many swordsmen could join the Bushi class. Samurai status was often tied to having a steady income and the right to carry a sword. Yasuke fit these conditions.

Yasuke’s Samurai Status

According to the Shinchokoki, Yasuke was granted a 扶持 (f u c h i)., meaning he had a regular stipend. Missionary Luis Frois's letters confirm he carried a sword. By the standards of the time, this made Yasuke a Samurai.

Samurai as a Broader Term

Samurai wasn’t a formal title like western knighthood. It was a broader term for the Bushi class. Even some Jizamurai or Ashigaru with stipends were called Samurai. This is similar to how, during social upheaval, armed individuals might claim titles without formal recognition.

The Social Mobility of the Sengoku Era

The Sengoku era offered social mobility. Yasuke's experience was likely common for many Samurai. Many were mercenaries who gained a stipend, joined a Daimyo's forces, and saw rapid rises and falls. Some only briefly held Samurai status before changing roles or leaving Japan.

Yasuke’s Role in the Sengoku Period

So, Yasuke was technically a Samurai, but his experience was probably typical for the chaotic Sengoku period. Most Samurai were foot soldiers or mercenaries with short-lived status. Yasuke’s quick rise and disappearance from records reflect the unstable nature of Samurai life during this era. Whether or not he fully became a Samurai, he was certainly on that path.

The Influence of YouTubers on Gamers

I also want to point out that just because a YouTuber has a big following doesn’t mean they know what they’re talking about, especially when it comes to history. A lot of these channels don’t do any real research or have a solid understanding of the topics they cover, yet they act like they’re experts. Some are just jumping on the hate bandwagon to rack up views, followers, and cash. These grifters try to influence gamers and decide what you should think or play. Even worse is when you see adults in their 30s and up yelling about 'wokeness' in a game, it’s embarrassing. At the end of the day, it’s your choice what games you play, not theirs, so don’t let anyone with a camera and a mic tell you otherwise. And don't fall for romanticized versions of history, whether it’s Samurai, Vikings, or anything else in Hollywood. Those movies aren’t accurate, and they don’t represent real history. So, don’t bash a video game for their fictional take on it just because it doesn’t match what you think history was like

Sources:

https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/1920322/1/162

https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/1041119/1/101

https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/1041119/1/127

https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/772514/1/54

https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/1041119/1/164

https://digitalis-dsp.uc.pt/bg5/UCBG-VT-18-9-17_18/UCBG-VT-18-9-17_18_item1/P662.html

https://digitalis-dsp.uc.pt/bg5/UCBG-VT-18-9-17_18/UCBG-VT-18-9-17_18_item1/P680.html

https://digitalis-dsp.uc.pt/bg5/UCBG-VT-18-9-17_18/UCBG-VT-18-9-17_18_item1/P744.html

[brisket]

whether or not he is or isn't doesn't really matter in the long run to me. i wanna play the game. if i cared about historical accuracy i would have never played AC at all.

[dafter]

Neat.

[Ryuudou]

It's not a debate. Yasuke was a samurai.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yasuke

[LadyofRage]

Originally posted by Ryuudou:

It's not a debate. Yasuke was a samurai.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yasuke

No and Wiki is the last source that should be used for this unless you've been living under a rock and don't know the controversy

[brisket]

Originally posted by LadyofRage:

Originally posted by Ryuudou:

It's not a debate. Yasuke was a samurai.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yasuke

No and Wiki is the last source that should be used for this unless you've been living under a rock and don't know the controversy

ITS YOU
OF COURSE YOU'RE HERE LOL

[LadyofRage]

Originally posted by a true gentleman:

Originally posted by LadyofRage:

No and Wiki is the last source that should be used for this unless you've been living under a rock and don't know the controversy

ITS YOU
OF COURSE YOU'RE HERE LOL

As are you. What a surprise.

[brisket]

Originally posted by LadyofRage:

Originally posted by a true gentleman:

ITS YOU
OF COURSE YOU'RE HERE LOL

As are you. What a surprise.

is it though?
im just here expressing my interest in the game, having mostly civil discussions.

are you here to spread misinformation again? :)

[LadyofRage]

Originally posted by a true gentleman:

Originally posted by LadyofRage:

As are you. What a surprise.

is it though?
im just here expressing my interest in the game, having mostly civil discussions.

are you here to spread misinformation again? :)

Only you would turn Truth into misinformation. That bubble you live in isn't doing you any favors.

[brisket]

Originally posted by LadyofRage:

Originally posted by a true gentleman:

is it though?
im just here expressing my interest in the game, having mostly civil discussions.

are you here to spread misinformation again? :)

Only you would turn Truth into misinformation. That bubble you live in isn't doing you any favors.

really?
what '' truth '' do you have to spout this time, oh wise one?

the only one living in a bubble is someone who cries woke at every single new game. :)

[LadyofRage]

Originally posted by a true gentleman:

Originally posted by LadyofRage:

Only you would turn Truth into misinformation. That bubble you live in isn't doing you any favors.

really?
what '' truth '' do you have to spout this time, oh wise one?

the only one living in a bubble is someone who cries woke at every single new game. :)

Says the person living in a bubble.

[brisket]

Originally posted by LadyofRage:

Originally posted by a true gentleman:

really?
what '' truth '' do you have to spout this time, oh wise one?

the only one living in a bubble is someone who cries woke at every single new game. :)

Says the person living in a bubble.

that's nice. can you answer my question though?

[LadyofRage]

Originally posted by a true gentleman:

Originally posted by LadyofRage:

Says the person living in a bubble.

that's nice. can you answer my question though?

I don't waste truth on those who don't know what truth is. But have fun white knighting again saving one developer damsel at a time eh? How's that going for you? Oh wait, nevermind the quarterly financials already told us that.

[brisket]

Originally posted by LadyofRage:

Originally posted by a true gentleman:

that's nice. can you answer my question though?

I don't waste truth on those who don't know what truth is. But have fun white knighting again saving one developer damsel at a time eh? How's that going for you? Oh wait, nevermind the quarterly financials already told us that.

????

you can't say '' i don't waste truth '' and then not tell me what that truth is, pookie.
and where am i white knighting? it's okay, i'll wait for you to show me.

[brisket]

i expected you to talk out of your ass again but i didn't think you'd get worse.

[Capn Vyse]

The whole Yasuke samurai "debate" is stupid. Only bigots are fake concerned.

We are talking about a series where you murder the pope, play as a reincarnation of Odin, play an immortal, etc collecting relics of an ancient alien race. The series has always played fast and loose with history and fiction.