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

In November, the French video game publisher Ubisoft plans to release Assassin's Creed Shadows (AC Shadows). Set during Japan's Warring States period in the 15th and 16th centuries, the story features a man of African descent as the main character Yasuke.

This decision has led to a backlash on social media, with accusations of cultural appropriation and calls for the game's cancellation through an online petition. 

Yasuke was a real historical figure who served under Oda Nobunaga. However, concerns have been raised regarding the spread of historically inaccurate representation of Yasuke abroad. 

In response, Ubisoft has stated, "Assassin's Creed games are works of fiction inspired by real historical events and figures."

To understand more about this issue, The Sankei Shimbun and JAPAN Forward spoke with Yuichi Goza, a historian and author of the bestseller Onin no Ran (The Onin War).

Excerpts follow.

First of 2 parts

Not a 'Legendary Samurai'

Who was Yasuke and was he a samurai?

Since there are few historical records about Yasuke, it's difficult to say anything conclusive about some aspects of his life. This is because he hasn't been a subject of much research, as biographies of individuals haven't been a central focus of [Japanese] historical studies. 

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One version of Shincho Koki [The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga], specifically a 15-volume set in the Sonkeikaku Library known as the Shincho-ki, mentions Nobunaga giving Yasuke a sword and a residence. This suggests that Nobunaga treated Yasuke as a samurai. 

However, this detail appears only in this particular version among the numerous manuscripts of Nobunaga's chronicle, and it's possible it was added during later transcriptions.

Moreover, even if Yasuke was recognized as a samurai, it could have been largely symbolic. For example, during the Edo period, some daimyo [feudal lords] who were sumo enthusiasts employed wrestlers as "personal retainers." These wrestlers were nominally considered retainers and were permitted to carry swords like samurai. However, they were not expected to actually fight in battles.

In AC Shadows, Yasuke is depicted wearing splendid armor. What do you think his actual position was?

Yasuke's dark skin seems to have surprised and fascinated the Japanese people around Nobunaga. To put it bluntly, Yasuke may have been seen as something of a spectacle, since having such dark skin was rare. In a way, Nobunaga could have used Yasuke to attract attention and showcase his power. 

Jesuit records mention that Yasuke was strong and had some entertainment skills. This suggests that his role was a combination of bodyguard and entertainer for Nobunaga.

Yasuke most likely did not embody the Western image of a "samurai warrior" who defeats his foes one after another with a sword. Therefore, portraying him as a legendary samurai seems inappropriate. Even if he did participate in battles, Yasuke would not have held a command position and only served as a combatant.

Consideration Needed for Historical Themes

What is your view on the controversy surrounding AC Shadows?

While this [subject of video games] slightly diverges from my expertise, which is history, samurai is widely and globally recognized as a part of Japanese culture. Therefore, it's understandable that many people believe the game should have featured a Japanese samurai as the protagonist out of respect for this culture. 

Since the game is about a historical person, it would have been more natural to feature a well-known swordsman or samurai like Miyamoto Musashi as the protagonist, rather than forcing Yasuke, who we don't know much about, into that role.

Depicting Yasuke, who may not have been a samurai, as a symbolic representation of a samurai could be seen as taking something away from Japan's samurai culture.

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This is why the game has been accused of cultural appropriation, leading to discomfort and dissatisfaction among some Japanese and international audiences. If [Ubisoft] wanted to feature Yasuke, it might have been better to include him alongside a recognized Japanese samurai [as the protagonist].

You analyze historical dramas on your YouTube channel. What are your thoughts on the role of fiction in portraying history?

I believe it's a question of degree. For instance, there's an outlandish theory that Minamoto no Yoshitsune didn't die in Hiraizumi but instead traveled to the Eurasian continent and became Genghis Khan. This theory, which gained traction primarily before World War II, had already been dismissed as impossible by historians at that time. 

A game depicting Yoshitsune fighting as Genghis Khan, even if it was labeled as fictional, would likely provoke a significant backlash, particularly from Mongolians who revere Genghis Khan as a national hero.

While it's understandable that fictional works based on historical themes cannot always be strictly accurate, it's crucial to handle such portrayals with sensitivity, especially when presenting them to a global audience. Disrespectful representations can harm national pride and lead to cultural misunderstandings or even diplomatic issues.

'Shogun' as a Successful Example 

A contrasting example [to AC Shadows] is the American TV series Shogun (2024), starring Hiroyuki Sanada. The protagonist is based on Tokugawa Ieyasu, though his name is changed. The storyline leading up to the Battle of Sekigahara is significantly altered, and the depiction of historical details, such as architecture, is somewhat questionable. However, after watching the series, I felt it conveyed an understanding and respect for Japanese history.

The series features an Englishman, modeled after William Adams [known in Japan as Miura Anjin], who arrives in Japan and teaches the protagonist how to handle ships and cannons. While this setup alone might suggest a stereotypical trope of a Western figure enlightening ignorant locals, the show goes beyond that. The Englishman, initially confused and resistant, grows to admire and respect the dignified samurai culture. The story portrays a process of mutual understanding and respect, rather than a one-sided dynamic.

At its core, the series demonstrates a deep respect for a foreign culture, which I believe is crucial for historical fiction. When depicting foreign history and culture, it is essential to understand and respect their fundamental aspects. If the creators of AC Shadows had taken this approach, they might have avoided the issues they are facing.

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.

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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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• 'Shogun' Starring Hiroyuki Sanada Leads with 25 Emmy Nods
• Ghost of Tsushima Video Game Fans Raise Money to Repair Shrine in Central Japan

(Read the interview in Japanese.)

Interviewer: Kanji Takahashi, The Sankei Shimbun