Non-Native Retainers
When thinking of the tenth to nineteenth centuries, coupled with Japan's geographic location, many people find it surprising that non-native Japanese were servicing as retainers and samurai under various daimyo and shogun. Both retainers and samurai provided administrative and military services to a Lord.
These non-native retainers and samurai came from various parts of the world including China, Korea, Africa and Europe. One famous retainer of Lord Oda Nobunaga was Yasuke who was of African origin most likely from Mozambique however, some scholars reference other possible locations including Ethiopia or Sudan. Lord Nobunaga assigned Yasuke the duty of Weapons Bearer and in 1582, Yasuke helped to defend his Lord against attacking forces.
