There is a HUGE argument erupting among Japanese historians right now! Yu Hirayama, an entertainment consultant historian at NHK and Professor at the University of Health Sciences, has been heavily criticized after proclaiming that Yasuke was a samurai. His assertion has caused such a backlash on social media that he stopped tweeting after going viral.
Hirayama, who is also known for his connections with the Communist Party and the Pony entertainment group, cites the same scant sources as Lockley, boiling down to the argument, "it doesn't say Yasuke was not a samurai." Critics argue that Hirayama's claim inflames tensions, giving foreigners false ammunition to defend Lockley's spurious claims about Yasuke and Japanese history.
The controversy revolves around three key points:
Yasuke was given a stipend.
Yasuke was given a sword.
Yasuke was given a home.
Critics argue that these privileges were also given to non-samurai, including merchants, and that the sword given to Yasuke was a short sword, not a samurai's long sword. Hirayama himself admits that, under generous interpretations, Yasuke could only be granted the lowest status of fighting man, not the legendary or significant samurai status as understood in the West.
This debate has escalated into a global phenomenon, involving gamers, historians, and political figures. Some Japanese Senators are even considering bringing this issue before their legislature to address Ubisoft's role in rewriting history through Assassin's Creed Shadows. The game's portrayal of Yasuke and the inclusion of controversial elements, such as same-sex romance options, has further fueled the fire.
We've previously discussed Thomas Lockley's book "African Samurai," which has been at the center of this debate. Lockley's work has been criticized for making unverified claims and editing Wikipedia pages to support his arguments. Despite these controversies, the debate over Yasuke's status continues to rage on.
Share this post