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African Samurai: The True Story of Yasuke, a Legendary Black Warrior in Feudal Japan Audiobook
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Publisher Description
Warrior.
Samurai.
Legend.
The remarkable life of history’s first foreign-born samurai, and his astonishing journey from Northeast Africa to the heights of Japanese society.
When Yasuke arrived in Japan in the late 1500s, he had already traveled much of the known world. Kidnapped as a child, he had ended up a servant and bodyguard to the head of the Jesuits in Asia, with whom he traversed India and China learning multiple languages as he went. His arrival in Kyoto, however, literally caused a riot. Most Japanese people had never seen an African man before, and many of them saw him as the embodiment of the black-skinned (in local tradition) Buddha. Among those who were drawn to his presence was Lord Nobunaga, head of the most powerful clan in Japan, who made Yasuke a samurai in his court. Soon, he was learning the traditions of Japan’s martial arts and ascending the upper echelons of Japanese society.
In the four hundred years since, Yasuke has been known in Japan largely as a legendary, perhaps mythical figure. Now African Samurai presents the never-before-told biography of this unique figure of the sixteenth century, one whose travels between countries, cultures and classes offers a new perspective on race in world history and a vivid portrait of life in medieval Japan.
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“African Samurai underscores what can only be defined as global blackness. The story of Yasuke’s journey into the politics and culture of feudal Japan is filled with excitement, danger, and many questions. How was this man who spent his childhood near the Nile able to follow the river of geography to India, China, and eventually Japan? In African Samurai words flex their muscles and pay tribute to a man of physical strength and combat skills…The writing is seductive and the reader sees the world through Yasuke’s eyes. There is much to learn about the wonder of his life. His story is a sharp blade cutting into invisibility.”
— E. Ethelbert Miller, award-winning African-American poet
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“African Samurai certainly alters my understanding of African and Japanese history. Yasuke, a sixteenth-century African travels to India and on to Japan where he becomes an accomplished samurai. Beyond the African stereotypes as either slaves or mythic noble savages, Yasuke emerges as an important and incredibly overlooked force in history—warrior, explorer, polyglot. African Samurai gripped me from the opening sentence—a unique story of a unique man and yet someone with whom we can all identify.”
— Jack Weatherford, New York Times bestselling author -
“With fast-paced, action-packed writing, Lockley and Girard offer a new and important biography and an incredibly moving study of medieval Japan and solid perspective on its unification. Highly recommended.”
— Library Journal (starred review) -
“The title may seem rather implausible, but Lockley and Girard dispel any doubts as they tell the remarkable story of this legendary, world-traveling African warrior in the war-torn islands of sixteenth-century Japan…An exciting and illuminating tale of action and intrigue.”
— Booklist (starred review) -
“The solid scholarship on and imaginative treatment of Yasuke’s life make this both a worthwhile and entertaining work.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Drawing on abundant sources, including archival material, the authors offer a panoramic view of politics, sex, religion, and war…A rich portrait of a brutal age.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
“A gripping tale of politics, war, and religion that reads like an adventure story.”
— Dave Rear, author of A Less Boring History of the World -
“This book is not only the best account in English of Yasuke, the famous African samurai. It’s also a delightful introduction to the vibrant and multicultural world of Asian maritime history. Written novelistically, with a light scholarly touch…Exciting and informative!”
— Tonio Andrade, author of The Gunpowder Age -
“A gripping tale of politics, war, and religion that reads like an adventure story…Lockley has done a terrific job in bringing his tale to life.”
— Dave Rear, author of A Less Boring History of the World
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About the Authors
Geoffrey Girard was born in Germany, raised in New Jersey, and currently living in Ohio. He graduated from Washington College with a literature degree and worked as an advertising copywriter and marketing manager before becoming a high school English teacher. He is currently the English department chair at a private boy’s school in Ohio and is a Masters candidate in creative writing at Miami University of Ohio. Visit him online at GeoffreyGirard.com.
Thomas Lockley is assistant professor at Nihon University College of Law in Tokyo, where he teaches courses about the the international and multicultural history of Japan and East Asia. He has also been a visiting Scholar at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.
Geoffrey Girard, the author of more than a dozen books, was selected for a Writers of the Future prize in 2003, and his debut novel was nominated for a Stoker award. He has an MFA degree from Miami University.
About Gary Furlong
Gary Furlong grew up in Wexford, Ireland. Throughout his life he has worn many hats working as a teacher, puppeteer, improv artist, actor, and singer. He can perform in general British, general American, and an Irish accent to a native level and can speak Japanese fluently. He now works full time as an audiobook narrator and voice actor from his home in Ireland.