Canelo lands tale of the first African samurai from Shreve

Canelo has landed The African Samurai, a “powerful” fictionalised account of Yasuke, a slave who became a samurai, by Craig Shreve. 

Craig Lye, commissioning editor, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, from Meg Wheeler, acting on behalf of Chris Casuccio at Westwood Creative Artists. The novel will be published in August 2023. A limited series adaptation is currently in development with Netflix and production company 21 Laps with Forest Whitaker as executive producer. 

“It was clear from the first that Craig Lye and Canelo were going to make the best home for Craig Shreve and Yasuke,” said Wheeler. “Canelo’s vision and passion for The African Samurai is thrilling and I’m excited to watch as UK readers respond to Yasuke’s tale.” 

Yasuke was the first man born in a foreign country to be granted the rank of samurai in Japan, and the only man to do so of African heritage. The narrative follows Yasuke in the 16th century as he becomes involved in efforts to reunify Japan after 100 years of civil war.

Lye commented: “I was absolutely blown away by this novel. Craig Shreve has crafted a rich, dynamic narrative, sensitively yet with confident brushstrokes capturing the spirit of Yasuke: the boy who became a slave, the slave who became a samurai. It moved me to tears.”

Shreve added: “I believe Yasuke is a character who will resonate with people from all backgrounds and all walks of life, and I am grateful to Canelo for helping me share his story as broadly as possible.”