Thomas Lockley & Yasuke: Controversy In Japan & Assassin's Creed Shadows
Is the historical narrative of Yasuke, the enigmatic Black warrior in feudal Japan, a meticulously researched account or a carefully crafted myth? The current controversy surrounding historian Thomas Lockley suggests that the widely accepted image of Yasuke, particularly as a samurai, may be more a product of imagination and embellishment than historical fact.
The story of Yasuke, a figure of immense intrigue and historical debate, has been thrust into the spotlight once again, this time due to a critical examination of the sources and interpretations surrounding his life. While historical records confirm the existence of a Black man who served under the renowned warlord Oda Nobunaga in 16th-century Japan, the extent of his role and his status remain fiercely contested. The recent surge of scrutiny has largely focused on the works of Thomas Lockley, a British historian whose writings have significantly shaped the modern understanding of Yasuke. Lockley, whose work has often portrayed Yasuke as a samurai, a title of considerable prestige and power, now faces serious questions regarding the accuracy and integrity of his research.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Thomas Lockley |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Historian, Author, Associate Professor |
| Education | Nihon University College of Law (Tokyo), School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) |
| Known For | Author of works on Yasuke, the Black samurai; research on the international and multicultural history of Japan and East Asia. |
| Controversy | Accuracy of historical interpretations, editing of Wikipedia entries to support his work, claims of embellishment and fabricated narratives regarding Yasuke. |
| Published Works | 'African Samurai: The True Story of Yasuke, a Legendary Black Warrior in Feudal Japan' and research papers and articles. |
| Current Status | Associate Professor at Nihon University College of Law in Tokyo. |
| Reference | Nihon University Official Website |
The controversy gained further momentum with the upcoming release of Ubisoft's "Assassin's Creed Shadows," a video game set in feudal Japan that features Yasuke as a playable character. A petition launched on change.org, spearheaded by Toru Shimizu, called for the publisher to halt the game's release, arguing that the portrayal of Yasuke was culturally insensitive and inaccurate. This outcry underscores the growing sensitivity surrounding historical representations and the importance of ensuring that they are grounded in verifiable evidence. The backlash reflects a deeper concern about the potential for historical figures to be misrepresented, especially when those figures are associated with marginalized communities.
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Lockley's interpretations and the surrounding controversy have also found their way into mainstream media. Discussions and criticisms of Lockley's work have been shared on television, parodied in pop songs, and have even been raised with some government officials, showcasing the magnitude of the debate. The accusations against Lockley are multifaceted, spanning claims of editing Wikipedia and Encyclopedia Britannica entries to bolster his research, distorting historical facts, misrepresenting sources, and disregarding the expertise of Japanese historians. These accusations have cast a shadow on the credibility of his work and raised significant questions about the narrative he has constructed around Yasuke.
One of the central criticisms levied against Lockley is his tendency to present "fabricated narratives." Critics allege that he has selectively used and reinterpreted historical records to create a compelling but ultimately inaccurate portrayal of Yasuke. A user on the r/kotakuinaction subreddit accused Lockley of making research-based assumptions and embellishing historical facts, echoing concerns about the reliability of his sources. A key point of contention revolves around Yasuke's status. While historical records confirm his presence in Japan and his service to Oda Nobunaga, there is no definitive evidence to suggest he was a samurai. The lack of such documentation is at the heart of the controversy.
Furthermore, Lockley is criticized for ignoring the interpretations of native Japanese experts, a significant oversight given that their perspectives are invaluable to understanding the historical context of Yasuke's life. This dismissal of local expertise, according to many, has allowed Lockley to formulate a biased, and often fictional, account of Yasuke's life. It is suggested by critics that Lockley cherry-picked information to fit his preconceived notions, creating a romanticized version of events. Another point of contention raised involves Lockley's claims of collaboration with Ubisoft on "Assassin's Creed Shadows." The author has denied this link; however, it suggests a lack of transparency that does little to improve his credibility.
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The scrutiny extends beyond Lockley's historical interpretations. His methods, which include the editing of online encyclopedias to bolster his claims, have also come under fire. The edited Wikipedia entry about Yasuke, designed to portray him as a samurai, has been exposed as having been altered by Lockley. These edits, according to critics, were designed to serve his book about Yasuke, which was published in 2019. This behavior has damaged Lockley's reputation and has led some to question his motives and the integrity of his historical work. Moreover, the lack of reliable primary sources has also fueled the fire, leading many to question the authenticity of Lockley's version of Yasuke's story.
Adding to the complexity of the debate, Japanese historian Yu Hirayama, provided his view in a lengthy post on Twitter/X. This post serves as an example of the depth and breadth of the current discussion surrounding Yasuke. The historian's remarks, which have since been widely circulated, reflect the significance of this subject in Japan, underscoring the importance of a nuanced and evidence-based understanding of the historical figure. The Japanese perspective, as demonstrated by Hirayama's commentary, is crucial to any discussion about Yasuke. Luis Frois' letters to the Pope, a valuable primary source, make no mention of Yasukes nobility. Thus, the lack of corroborating evidence adds another layer of complexity to the historical narrative.
The question of whether Yasuke was a samurai or simply a servant or retainer is a focal point. Detractors argue that the story has been, in large part, fabricated by Lockley. His work has come under heavy criticism for a lack of evidence, and for its tendency to romanticize Yasuke's life and role in feudal Japan. This criticism has led many to view Lockley's interpretation with skepticism. The fact that Lockley appears to have vanished, adding to the mystery surrounding his work. Some critics have gone as far as to call his work a fraud, a sentiment that has now gained traction.
The controversy, it is worth noting, is not entirely new. Similar debates have taken place in the past over the historical accuracy of certain depictions. This historical precedent underlines the need for careful scrutiny when dealing with potentially biased narratives. The ongoing debate, which has spread from academic circles to mainstream media, underscores the importance of maintaining historical integrity. It also emphasizes the value of seeking multiple perspectives to gain a complete understanding of the past. The debate over Yasuke and Thomas Lockley continues, highlighting the need for accuracy, and transparency in the study of history.
In other news, in this week's news roundup we also report on the tragic deaths of four hikers during Mount Fujis climbing season on the Shizuoka side of the mountain. In addition, fourteen students were hospitalized after eating "super spicy" potato chips.
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