INTERVIEW | Assassin's Creed Shadows: How Research Can Elevate Historical Fiction

The portrayal of Yasuke, a historical figure of African descent who served Oda Nobunaga, in Assassin's Creed Shadows (AC Shadows) has sparked ongoing debate. Depicting Yasuke as a formidable samurai, the game has ignited controversy over historical accuracy and cultural representation. AC Shadows is set for release in November.

Given the limited historical records on Yasuke, the question of whether he was genuinely a samurai remains unsettled. In Part 2 of our interview, historian and YouTuber Yuichi Goza explores the impact of Thomas Lockley's work, which is believed to have contributed to the spread of misconceptions about Yasuke internationally.

Excerpts follow.

Last of 2 parts

Read part one: INTERVIEW | Yasuke and Assassin's Creed Shadows: A Japanese Historian's Perspective

Research Requires Distance

You mentioned on social media that Lockley's portrayals of Yasuke's achievements might include some exaggerations. Could you explain what you meant by that?

I am aware that Mr Lockley has made various statements about Yasuke both in Japan and internationally. Since I am not fully familiar with all of them, I cannot make a definitive judgment. However, based on reading his [Japanese] book Nobunaga to Yasuke: Honno-ji wo Ikinobita Kokujin Samurai [2017], I think it would be difficult to say that he maintains an objective distance from his subject, Yasuke, in this case.

Historians need to maintain a certain distance from their subjects. For example, when researching Nobunaga, simply thinking "Nobunaga was great" isn't enough. It's essential to also consider his limitations with a more detached perspective. 

The same goes for researching Sakamoto Ryoma — it's important to examine his flaws and issues as well. If one becomes too emotionally attached to the subject and adopts an "affirm everything" approach, it ceases to be proper historical research. My impression from reading this [Lockley's] book is that it doesn't maintain the necessary distance from its subject.

Moreover, the book makes some conceptual leaps, presenting unrelated sources as if they are connected to Yasuke. For example, it mentions an anecdote that Yasuke carried Nobunaga’s head and sword out of Honno-ji, stating that this story was "passed down by a family claiming descent from the Oda clan." However, since he doesn't specify who made this claim, it cannot be verified by other researchers. I had never heard of this anecdote until I read his book.

In the book mentioned earlier, a passage states that "it seems a trend began among local dignitaries to use African slaves as symbols of authority." This was criticized on social media, as it could be interpreted to suggest that black slavery was popular in Japan. What are your thoughts on this?

I think the issue stems from how the book describes some Christian daimyos in Kyushu employing black individuals, which may have been written in a somewhat confusing way. I didn't sense any intent to disparage Japan. In the broader context of the book, it appears to suggest that the Japanese did not discriminate against black people, but rather viewed them favorably and even competed to have them in their service. I don't believe it was suggesting that the Japanese mistreated black slaves.

What are your thoughts on the calls for historians to be more vocal in addressing historical misconceptions?

Historians often avoid discussing controversial topics because they fear causing backlash, which makes them cautious. However, engaging in such discussions can spark greater public interest in history and present an opportunity to share academic research with a broader audience. Therefore, I believe it is important for historians to actively participate in these conversations.

However, one's individual efforts have their limitations. When incorrect historical perceptions about Japan spread internationally and need correction, it's necessary for the government to take the lead. I believe the government should work with historians to address these issues. Some might see this as supporting state-driven propaganda. However, when it comes to accurately presenting historical facts, there should be no need for undue hesitation.

Truth Is Stranger than Fiction

Do you think there are better ways to approach historical themes in creative works?

I believe creators should engage more with historical research. I have the impression that they often avoid it, fearing it might constrain their creativity and storytelling. However, for example, Shota Sometani's portrayal of Nobunaga in the NHK TV show Kirin ga Kuru (2020) is refreshingly original.

Nobunaga is generally seen as a revolutionary who dismantled old systems to create new ones. However, this show portrays him as highly respectful of traditional authorities like the emperor and the shogun. This depiction reflects recent shifts in historical research about him. Research can indeed yield new insights.

Although some creators believe their own ideas are more interesting, real history is so fascinating that it justifies the saying, "Truth is stranger than fiction." Ironically, in attempting to avoid constraints, creators may end up constrained by outdated stereotypes.

I also hope that readers, viewers, and gamers continue to maintain an interest in Japanese history, not just during controversies like this one. I feel that if the audience consistently engaged with history, a game like AC Shadows with Yasuke as one of its protagonists might not have been developed. As the general public's knowledge and understanding of history grow, I believe the quality of historical fiction will also improve, leading to even more outstanding works than we have seen before.

About Yuichi Goza

Yuichi Goza was born in Tokyo in 1980. He graduated from the University of Tokyo's Faculty of Letters and completed his doctoral studies at the Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology at the same university. After serving as a research associate there, he is now an assistant professor at the International Research Center for Japanese Studies. Goza holds a Doctor of Letters and specializes in medieval Japanese history.

His notable works include Senso no Nihon Chusei-shi (The Medieval Japanese History of War), which received the Kadokawa Culture Promotion Foundation Academic Award. His bestseller Onin no Ran (The Onin War) has sold over 480,000 copies. Additionally, he co-hosts the Japanese YouTube channel "Haruki de Gozaimasu" with Shoko Haruki, a curator at the Edo-Tokyo Museum.

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(Read the interview in Japanese.)

Interviewer: Kanji Takahashi, The Sankei Shimbun