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| Kuro-Suke; The black man of Japan | |
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| Topic Started: Jan 19 2009, 08:58 PM (901 Views) | |
| Tristan da Cunha | Jan 19 2009, 08:58 PM Post #1 |
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Science and Industry
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Matsumae, Ezo, Japan The human cargo, a black negro man, arrived in Matsumae and he was purchased from the Malesploitatian slave traders by agents of the Ezo lord for 1,000 taels of silver. This was the first black man ever sighted in Ezo and people came out to the shipdocks to gawk at this curiosity. He was a purebred African negro with black skin the even color and sheen of unrefined petroleum, and he was significantly taller than all of the Japanese people. Guarded by samurai, he stood in chains and was wearing crumpled Western-style trousers and shirt. All gathered awaited Prince Kita-Shirakawa's arrival on the dock to inspect his new property. The Prince and his family and courtiers arrived and were all taken aback at this black man whose skin was blacker than the black skin-paint used to make-up the actors in the theater. "I cannot believe this man's skin color was inherited from his mother and not the result of some artifice. It must be a very skillfully-applied body paint!" said the Prince in amazement. "Strip this black-man from the waist up. Get a towel and see if you can rub the blackness off his skin!" A samurai took out a white towel and rubbed vigorously on the negro's chest, but the towel remained completely white and the negro's chest remained completely black. The crowd gasped at this marvel, a completely black-colored man! There was much excited chatter and commotion as the people tried to fathom the blackness of this man. The Prince was quite delighted at this newcomer so he started communicating with the black man. They communicated haltingly but seemed to get along very well. Finally the Prince allowed the chains to be taken off this black man, and provisioned him with a horse to ride back with him to the castle. The Prince's party therefore departed, leaving a wake the crowd of curious people on the dock continuing to excited discuss this novel man. Edited by Tristan da Cunha, Jan 19 2009, 09:17 PM.
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| Tristan da Cunha | Jan 20 2009, 03:55 PM Post #2 |
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Science and Industry
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The black man was given the name of Yasuke by the Ezo lord. He came to be known as "Kuro-Suke" or "Black Yasuke". Later it was determined he originated in West Africa and taken to Malesploitatia where he labored as a slave. He spoke several foreign languages which he learned over the course of his travels, and quickly learned Japanese in the Ezo court. Black Yasuke impressed the Prince's court with his feats of strength. "He is good-looking and healthy" declared Prince Kita-Shirakawa. "He looks about 24 or 25 years old, and he has the strength of 10 men." Indeed Black Yasuke was frequently asked to lift large boulders or other heavy objects in a demonstration to the Prince's guests. The guests were always amazed by this man of ox-like strength, and his entire body was also black, like an ox. Later the Prince freed Black Yasuke and promoted him to samurai status. Yet Black Yasuke's quick ascent in the ranks did not cause jealousy among the other samurai; on the contrary they respected and admired his seemingly superhuman strength. Black Yasuke trained with the samurai and soon became proficient in swordsmanship and archery. Prince Kita-Shirakawa liked to place Black Yasuke in a prominent location whenever he received guests, as Black Yasuke was at least a head taller than all the Japanese people and cut quite an imposing and intimidating figure. Edited by Tristan da Cunha, Jan 20 2009, 03:57 PM.
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| Ulgania | Jan 20 2009, 04:04 PM Post #3 |
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A better Zarathustra has never rode a horse
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OOC: Nicely done. If/when I ever do a state visit I'm sure my delegation would be interested in meeting him. |
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| Tristan da Cunha | Jan 20 2009, 04:12 PM Post #4 |
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Science and Industry
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A picture of Black Yasuke He is portrayed in a Western-style jacket and shirt, and the Hakama or wide type of pants worn by samurai. Posted Image |
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11:32 AM Jul 13