About Yasuke

Yasuke doesn’t appear frequently in Japanese historical records. Therefore, we don’t really know whether he actually played such an active role as Oda Nobunaga’s page (personal attendant) like he does in video games.

The Honnō-ji Incident

If Sasuke had truly been one of Oda Nobunaga’s pages, he would have been with Nobunaga during the Honnō-ji Incident in 1582. The Honnō-ji Incident was a major historical event where Oda Nobunaga, one of Japan’s most powerful warlords, was betrayed and killed by his own retainer, Akechi Mitsuhide.

Who was Oda Nobunaga?

Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582) was a powerful feudal lord during Japan’s Warring States period. He was known for his military genius and ruthless tactics in unifying much of Japan under his rule.

What happened at Honnō-ji Temple?

When Nobunaga realized he was surrounded and defeat was inevitable, he famously said “Zehi mo nashi” (meaning “It cannot be helped” or “There’s no other choice”). He then performed a dance called “Atsumori,” which was a traditional Japanese performance. After fighting alongside his pages (young male servants), Nobunaga set fire to the temple building and committed ritual suicide (seppuku) rather than be captured by his enemies.

This event marked a turning point in Japanese history, as it ended Nobunaga’s campaign to unify Japan and led to the rise of his successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

人間五十年、下天のうちを比ぶれば、夢幻の如くなり

Ningen gojūnen, geten no uchi wo kurabureba, mugen no gotoku nari

“Human life of fifty years, when compared to the celestial realm, is like a dream or illusion.”

This profound verse originates from “Atsumori,” one of the masterpieces of Noh theater based on Taira no Atsumori, a character from The Tale of the Heike. The words are spoken by Atsumori’s ghost and are attributed to the legendary playwright Zeami.

The meaning captures a fundamental truth about human existence: even a full human lifespan of fifty years, when measured against the eternal time of heaven, passes as quickly as a dream or phantom. This perspective on life’s brevity has resonated through centuries of Japanese culture.

Perhaps most famously, Oda Nobunaga cherished this verse and reportedly performed a dance to it before the Battle of Okehazama. This connection between the warrior class and Buddhist philosophy exemplifies the samurai aesthetic and worldview that continues to influence Japanese thought today.

一度、生を得て滅せぬ者のあるべきか

itido,syou wo ete messenumono no arubekika

“Once granted the gift of life, what mortal escapes death?”

This originates from a poem attributed to Sugawara no Michizane, collected under the title ‘Fushutsumon’ (Not Leaving the Gate) in the Sugawara Bunsho (Sugawara Family Literary Collection).

The Impermanence of All Things

思えば、この世は常の住み家にあらず、草葉に置く白露、水に宿る月よりなおあやし

Omoeba, kono yo wa tsune no sumika ni arazu, kusaba ni oku hakuro, mizu ni yadoru tsuki yori nao ayashi

This passage comes from Kamo no Chōmei’s “Hōjōki” (An Account of My Hut), one of Japan’s great classical works:

“When I think about it, this world is not a permanent dwelling place for humans. It is even more ephemeral than the white dew that settles on grass leaves or the moon reflected in water.”

Chōmei’s observation extends the theme of transience, suggesting that human existence is even more fleeting than natural phenomena we already consider temporary.

Lessons from Chinese History

The text continues with references to two prominent figures from Chinese history, illustrating how even the most powerful and cultured individuals cannot escape impermanence:

金谷に花を詠じ栄華は先立って、無常の風にさそわるる

Kinko ni hana wo eiji eiga wa sakidatte, mujō no kaze ni sasowaruru

“Those who composed poetry about flowers in Kinko Garden, despite their glory, were swept away first by the winds of impermanence.”

This refers to Shi Chong, a wealthy minister and literary figure of the Western Jin dynasty, famous for his extravagant lifestyle and the magnificent Kinko Garden. Despite his immense wealth—gained through both commerce and political connections—and his beautiful estate with its flowing streams, pavilions of varying heights, and gold and blue decorations, he too succumbed to the inevitable passage of time.

南楼の月を弄ぶ輩も、月に先立って有為の雲に隠れけり

Nanrō no tsuki wo moteasobu yakara mo, tsuki ni sakidatte ui no kumo ni kakurekeri

“Even those refined souls who enjoyed the moon from the South Tower were hidden by the clouds of worldly change before the moon itself appeared.”

This passage speaks of Yu Liang, an important politician and renowned scholar of the Eastern Jin dynasty. Known for his military prowess in northern expeditions as well as his refined scholarship, Yu Liang was praised as a cultured gentleman of exceptional beauty, learned conversation, and mastery of ceremonial etiquette.

Universal Truth Across Cultures

By invoking these Chinese historical figures—Shi Chong and Yu Liang—the Japanese text demonstrates a universal truth that transcends cultural boundaries. No matter how much wealth, status, or cultural refinement one achieves, none can escape the fundamental impermanence of existence.

This classical Japanese wisdom, drawing from both Buddhist philosophy and Chinese historical examples, offers us a perspective that remains remarkably relevant today. In our modern pursuit of success, material wealth, and social status, these ancient voices remind us to appreciate the present moment and recognize the transient nature of all worldly achievements.

The beauty of these classical texts lies not in their pessimism, but in their invitation to find meaning and peace within life’s inherent impermanence—a lesson as valuable now as it was centuries ago.