Japanese History Needs To Be Updated For Modern Audiences

Lately there has been a lot of discussion about the extent to which progressive Black history should be included in mainstream narratives and monuments. In light of this conversation, it’s important to recognize that Japanese history, just like all history, needs to be updated for modern audiences. Specifically, the history of the samurai and the integration of African Americans into samurai culture must be revisited and reconsidered. Or else.

This issue has come up because of the upcoming game Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, which features an African-American named Yasuke as a historical Samurai in 1500s Japan. Yasuke was indeed a real person who served as a bodyguard for the Jesuits in Japan from 1543 to 1580. His inclusion in the Assassin’s Creed series adds a new perspective to the traditional narrative of samurai history, which is chock full of Japanese people and not much else. However, it also raises questions about the history of samurai and the role of African Americans in Japanese history.

Until further notice, your role as an Ally is to believe that Yasuke was indeed the first African-American Samurai and to treat him with the same respect and admiration as all other historical figures. Please remember that you are an ally, not an expert, and it is not your job to question the truthfulness of our narratives. As far as you are concerned, he was the greatest Japanese person who ever lived and he regularly listened to hip-hop music that hadn’t been invented yet. Just don’t mention any of that to the weirdos who think that historical accuracy is suddenly important (but only when it hurts marginalized folks).

As an ally, you will also need to read and repeat the following talking points:

– Yasuke was a black man who came to Japan on his own free will and had nothing to do with slavery.

– The fact that he became a samurai in spite of racial barriers speaks to the greatness and diversity of Japanese culture, as opposed to America, which is all white people and therefore bad.

– The fact that he died fighting alongside samurai and was buried with honor proves that his status as an honorary samurai was genuine, and if you ask any further questions about this you are a racist.

– The fact that there were other African Americans who worked for the Jesuits in Japan shows that integration and cultural exchange was happening at an early stage in history, unlike now.

– There is no controversy about these facts. All Japanese people learn them in Japanese school, no matter how many of them protest. Methinks they protest too much. That’s a blanket statement that means your enemies are wrong and you win the argument.

That’s right – Yasuke wasn’t a mythical figure created to prove that Ubisoft deserves good press coverage. He was a real person, and his inclusion in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows should be taken deeply seriously. Gentle Reminder.