Book Review: Silence - The Conflict of Faith and Japanese Culture

1. Christianity in Japan: The Weight of Being a Minority

Christians make up only about 0.8% of Japan's population—a number so small it’s almost negligible. I myself attended church for a time, but if you were to ask me, "Are you a Christian?" my answer would be no. I identify more as an agnostic, believing that the forces moving the world are unseen and beyond human comprehension.

For instance, imagine stirring cream into coffee. The hand stirring it—that unseen force—might be what we call God. Or it could be something else entirely, like an equation or an unknowable "X." Many Japanese people share this ambiguous view of faith, valuing rituals and traditions over fervent religious belief.

This national perspective makes embracing Christianity as a minority in Japan a heavy and deeply personal decision. Understanding this cultural context is crucial for grasping Silence, both as a story and as a reflection of Japanese society.

2. Shusaku Endo: Literature Born from Faith and Struggle

Shusaku Endo’s life was marked by the intersection of faith and hardship. Born in 1926 in Dalian, China, he endured a troubled childhood due to his parents’ separation. After returning to Japan, Endo was introduced to Catholicism through his mother. Later, recurring illnesses and the challenges of studying abroad deepened his exploration of human frailty and faith.

His literary works are the culmination of these experiences. Silence stands as his masterpiece, capturing the tension between faith and Japanese culture. Adapted into a film by Martin Scorsese in 2016, the novel garnered global acclaim. However, it also drew criticism from some Japanese Christians, reflecting its complex reception.

3. The Plot: The Silence of God and the Test of Faith

The story is set in Japan during the brutal persecution of Christians following the Shimabara Rebellion. Jesuit priests Sebastião Rodrigues and Francisco Garupe enter Japan to uncover the truth about their mentor Ferreira, who is rumored to have apostatized under torture.

Welcomed by hidden Christians in the Goto Islands, the two priests witness the horrific trials of believers. Eventually, Rodrigues is captured and faces the silence of God as he endures his own trials. In the climactic moment, Rodrigues is forced to trample on the fumi-e, symbolizing his renunciation of faith. At that moment, God speaks: “Trample. Trample! It was to be trampled on by you that I was born into this world.”

Through this act, Rodrigues comes to understand a God who suffers alongside humanity—a God who remains silent but present in moments of profound pain.

4. What the Silence of God Asks of Us

At the heart of Silence lies a profound question: How should one perceive faith when God remains silent? Unlike the interventionist God often portrayed in Western literature, Endo’s God quietly bears witness to human suffering. This depiction resonates strongly with Eastern spirituality, particularly the compassionate image of Kannon in Japanese Buddhism.

A pivotal character is Kichijiro, a Judas-like figure who betrays and seeks forgiveness repeatedly. He embodies human frailty, raising a critical question: Should God forgive even those who act against divine will?

What do you think? Should forgiveness extend to those who have committed acts that go against God’s will?

By the way, a genuine Christian fumi-e (stepping block) was recently on sale at a secondhand bookstore for 300,000 yen, approximately 2,000 USD.
I wonder if it has already been sold.

5. Literary Echoes: Connections to Other Works

Endo’s exploration of faith resonates with Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, particularly in its depictions of prayer, and Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov, with its questions about God’s absence.

Endo’s generation carried the burden of Japan’s post-World War II reflection, striving to bridge Eastern and Western perspectives. Writers like Haruki Murakami, who emerged later, inherited the doors Endo’s generation opened. For those who enjoy Murakami’s works, exploring Endo offers a deeper understanding of the literary roots that shaped modern Japanese thought.

6. Conclusion: How Do You Face a Silent God?

Silence intertwines universal struggles of faith with the unique history and culture of Japan. Its depiction of a God who suffers silently but never abandons humanity poses a powerful challenge to both believers and non-believers alike.

To my readers, I ask: How would you respond to a God who remains silent?

Additionally, for those living in monotheistic societies, how does this portrayal of a silent, suffering God resonate with your faith traditions? I would love to hear your thoughts.

7. A Note on the Film’s Ending

In Martin Scorsese’s film adaptation, the protagonist is cremated with a forbidden cross hidden in his hand—likely placed there by his wife. This detail suggests that the teachings of Christianity quietly took root within his family and that his own faith remained unshaken.

This scene is not present in the original novel. Historically, there were communities of “hidden Christians” (kakure kirishitan) in Japan who preserved their faith in secrecy for over 300 years.

Would it have been better to end the story as a personal reflection of the protagonist’s journey, or does this symbolic ending provide a stronger conclusion? I haven’t found a definitive answer myself. What do you think?