Shūsaku Endō (遠藤 周作) Silence (沈黙)

“Silence” by  Shusaku Endo is often called a “transcendental novel”- the novel that is very sophisticated, which, touches, universal, ether truths, the one people are ashamed of or afraid of. One may think it is a very simple story, yes it is, when One just reads, and does not see what the inner problems portrayed between the lines are, then, the story is simple as that. Endo is obsessed by a journey, the journey that leads to subconsciousness, the road to the problems of faith is direct, the problems of ones identity, the search of ‘me’, the search of ‘my faith and belief’ is never-ending struggle for acceptance of the rough reality that does change. Endo tries to explain the need for changes, He tries to make people conscious – face the ‘twist of faith’. Western and Eastern patterns must clash, eventually, to become one, coherent and comprehensible. The hostile perception of Christianity was about to change, the indifference was about to fade. Endo’s novels touch very sad and hurtful matter of colonialism, the matter of brutal, often misunderstood impostors who wanted to acclaim a new faith in the name of God and new doctrines – which were rejected by conquered nations. Post-colonial politics and cultural diversification are highlighted in his novels. Catholicism was perceived and understood as “brutal and violent something”- I write ‘something’ because people of new lands didn't understand why should they die for a religion they did not feel a common background with. The justifications of its purity and necessity submitted in Old Testament were not fully taken for granted, in contrary, rejected by Orient. European settlers were hated – for thus reason, Japan was so fiercely closed to new colonial re-establishments. Endo explains Japanese people that the rejection is wrong, misunderstanding fake and fear unjustified.  The fact that new religion reached Japan is perceived by Endo as Providence not as a destructive force of Western World. The main and quite unfortunate figure is a young missionary  Christovao Ferreira he follows father Rodrigues who reached Japan, Rodrigues is a reflective image of a real missionary - Guiseppe Chiara. Ferreira is a young Jesuit who deeply believed that his trip to Japan will change the ‘face of Christianity’ – he doesn't know how closed and firm Japan is, how hostile shoguns will  welcome the beginning of the new faith, everyone will be killed with no exception! The prejudices, the persecutions are omnipresent – there is no room for a new faith. The novel has got the first and the third narration, a form of a diary, notes, monologues, thoughts, Ferreira thinks and doubts, he considers the means of interpersonal relationships, religion itself and the fragile human lifespan which can be aborted by one blow of a sword. Endo goes deeper into the problem of ‘belief’, he believes and wants other who reads the novel also believed. For him the belief is unquestionable, not underestimated. He simply portrays the universal truth of faith, the face of the fallen believer. In Japan many of new believers died – but are always remembered for their brotherhood, unity. When Father Rodrigues is taken to custody, he prays, he meditates, he agrees to his faith, stops believe just for a moment, one may feel his hesitation …

“…Now that he had once tasted the tepid waters of peace and security, would he have the resolution again to wander through those mountains and conceal himself in a hut?...”

“…From the deepest core of my being yet another voice made itself heard in a whisper, Supposing God does not exist…”

To understand how deeply Christianity was rooted in Japan we have to understand individuals. Hideyoshi, the Japanese ruler was crucified in Nagasaki, he and his twenty-six companions disobeyed shogun’s power and almost divine authority, all of them were sentenced to death. It must be mentioned that in 1579 – there were more than 150,000 Christians in Japan. The appealing period for Christianity was possible due to lack of strong and influential central government in Japan during Sengoku Period. After 1600 the was a real bloom of missionaries in Japan. The novel describes the rough trip to Japan, the problems Rodrigues  had, the journey might be perceived as a sign, which is to be understood as “stop! Do not follow ahead, Japan doesn't want You”. Rogrigues has to establish the Christianity’s firm position – they all must be very careful in order not to be slaughtered, the ship must be unseen by anyone. Japan defends itself – Japanese people have to learn new language, Latin clashes with Japanese, both cultures fight at first but in the long run they have to understand one another. To come closer to Japanese people, to understand them, Rodrigues and Ferraira learn Japanese manners, customs, they work for local government, they were looking for a religious freedom, instead, they had to bend to the sets of rules given by the magistrate.  Christianity does not appeal to Japanese people. The divine power of the Emperor is relevant, Christians in Japan realized it, however, they were not prepared for the brutality of  Inoue Chikugomori who hated Christians and wanted to get rid of them from Japan. The Christians were tortured in an incredibly brutal way, their bodies were tied up to the poles partially submerged in the sea, the salt water gradually, inch by inch bit into wounded bodies of persecuted, caused additional suffering and slow death. Rodrigues is afraid of suffering and pain, he is not ready for it. In moments of great doubt and fear he doesn't see God, he is looking for him, finds nothing but silence. Even though they tried to impose Christianity in Japan and show its different ‘bright’ face, they failed. Japanese people not only didn't believe in new God but adapted new religion to their believes. Endo reflects; present modern problems that concern faith, he learnt that too much faith brings resignations, failure and disillusionment. The book is universal regardless of latitude and cultures touches the same problems; existential and ecclesiastical.