Excellent HF book based on a true story: the voyage of four Japanese envoys in the early XVIIth century to Nueva España, Spain and Rome, and from there all the way back to their homeland. The story is told from two PoV: Rokuemon Hasekura, a samurai whose family eagerly want to have their lands back (were taken because they fought for the wrong side during a war), is probably the 'stereotype' we have in mind when thinking about a samurai (except there's no martial arts involved, or flying and none of this Hollywood bullshit): someone loyal, obedient, and that wants to maintain his family's and ancestor's honour, as well as his own. He's the one to describe how someone who has never been outside his master's lands feels when visiting two different continents and culture, and their face to face with Christianity. There are three other envoys, who are also samurai, with their own personnality, which I really enjoyed reading. The other side of the coin is Father Velasco, a Spanish Franciscan missionnary who has convinced himself that God wants him to prozelitise Japan, no matter the cost. That's why, when a Japanese Lord starts to be interested in trading with Mexico, he soonly realises it is now or never if he wants to fulfill his ambition: become the bishop of Japan. Indeed, he knows that little trade would be possible between Japan and Spain as long as Christians are banned or severely punished in Japan. Therefore, he uses the Japanese cravings for knowledge and profit to make them agree to send emmissaries to the Western World, and him with them. But are the Japanese earnest? Overall, their trip takes them more than seven years, and many things could've changed. It is a great book. First, because it's a very interesting topic and the descriptions of both the Western and Japanese world seem very accurate. Second, the characters and the plot are fantastic. Except for the samurai, who are bound in their ignorance, everyone has an ulterior motive, an ambition, and nothing is what it seems. The idea I got from the book is the difference between 'normal' people and the 'government', the 'great interests', in a word, the world of politics (which may be at a state-level or for the ruling of the Church). The hypocrisy, the selfishness, and the ever-moving tides of power who are never reluctant to swallow a few middle-men who never had a chance to survive in this game. Again, great great book. Well-written. Read it!P.S. Although the author was Catholic and there's a lot of discussion on the nature of Christianity (which is very interesting btw), it is not proselytizing. It's not a book about how cool Christianity is, it is not a book about redemption or how samurai convert into Catholicism because Western values are so much better. It's nothing of the sort. I thought the author's/characters' thoughts on religion, on the image of the Christ, and why some people believe, were very meaningful, very interesting, but in no way imposing themselves.
Japan at the turn of the seventeenth century. The shogunate is looking to establish direct trade trade relations between Japan and Nueva Espana (modern day Mexico). A delegation of samurai and merchants, headed by a zealous Spanish missionary acting as a go-between, is sent on a perilous mission across the Pacific.Each has his own agenda; the samurai are hoping to regain lost ancestral lands. The priest has been promised certain Christian concessions. The Japanese merchants are looking to trade their cargo at great profit. This is a deeply sad story. As the plot unfolds we bear witness to clashes in cultures, acts of manipulation, feelings of alienation and hopelessness, and the personal sacrifices endured for the 'greater good'. Christianity, and what it means to different people, is also a central theme throughout. Though a work of fiction, this book is based on Hasekura Tsunenaga and Father Luis Sotelo's voyage across the oceans and eventual audience with Pope Paul V. This was at a time of great political change in Japan, when the early Tokugawa rulers had unified the country and were about to close it off to the West for over two centuries. It's not always easy to judge a book's writing style when it comes to translations. With that in mind I felt that the whole thing moved along quite slowly, which in some ways reflected the often despondent mood of the characters. What I especially enjoyed was how the narrative switches between the author telling the story, and what appear to be extracts from Father Velasco's private journal entries. I also thought that Gesel's pre and post book explanatory notes were especially useful in helping Western readers such as myself put the book into some kind of context.All in all I enjoyed reading this book, which had a real feel of adventure to it whilst simultaneously tackling quite complex issues of human morality. This was my first introduction to Endo, whose personal experiences as a Japanese Roman Catholic give his writing a very unique perspective.
What do You think about The Samurai (1997)?
This is the fourth novel by Shusaku Enhat do which I have read as part of a year long read of his works by a group of readers on LibraryThing.com. I have now started this review three times because I am not quite sure what to say. This story is another effort on Endo's part to illuminate the failure of Christianity to take hold in Japan. It is the story of a samurai who remains faithful to his mission to the death. It is the story of a priest who remains faithful to his mission to the death. It is the story of their disillusionment with their leaders. It is the story of the search for a way of life which will allow a person to live a life of integrity and honor and compassion. It is, in the end, a story of trying to maintain faith in the face of duplicity and abuse practiced by governing groups to obtain their own ends at all costs. Ultimately, I believe this is a story about each person's personal journey to find something to believe in beyond themselves. The writing is powerful and the imagery is outstanding. I do not think I have come across an author such as Endo before, who repeats the same theme so deliberately across very different story lines. He was, himself, a man obsessed with a theme.
—Ferris
_The Samurai_ captures Endo's craftsmanship superbly. Following the voyage of Hasekura Rokuemon from the shores of Japan to the steps of the Vatican, Endo skillfully reconstructs the world of the early 17th century in a way at once picturesque and compelling. But it is his treatment of the psycologies of his characters that are most gripping. As with most Endo's works, this is a book about faith. Yet unlike _Silence_ and _Deep River_, Endo depicts faith as a drawing of the individual out of his context and into the context of Christ - regardless of whether he is Western or Eastern. _The Samurai_ is a beautiful and sorrowful experience.
—cole
I included this book in my short course of reading about Japanese history. I don't usually include (even historical) fiction in my topical reading lists, but this came highly recommended. It is an interesting, quick read, and does work to maneuver through the 18th Century Japanese psyche. I have a feeling that no Western reader will really understand this book, however. The translation seems smooth, the narrative is there, but more than anything this is an exploration of character and Japanese Zeitgeist, and I'm guessing that there was a great deal that I was reading but not actually comprehending. Enjoyed it, glad I read it.
—Tyler Anderson
