References

Kuro-suke, the black one- a book about an ancient Black Samurai in Japan

Historical stories for children as a genre was established after 1960s. Kuro-suke, by Kurusu Yoshio (1916 – 2001), is masterpiece about a black young man and the Honnôji Revolt, and is one of the works that contributed to the development of the historical genre. The idea of a black man working for Nobunaga is quite unique. Kuro-suke’s effort as a man of Nobunaga is a bit odd and humorous, and his fate is painful. The mind of a young man in a foreign country is well described. Lively characters and the setting in Azuchi, where European culture could be seen, are attractive, too. Illustrations by Minoda Genjirô enrich the world of this story. Kuro-suke was praised for its originality and high quality when it received the Japanese Association of Writers for Children Prize in 1969.