Shusaku Endo’s Samurai unfolds in the same time period as his earlier Silence - 17th century, a period of persecution for Christians in Japan. The story evolves around a similar theme, as well - one’s heart’s journey towards God. This time though, it is not a tale told through the eyes of a Western priest, but through the eyes of both Japanese and Western characters that are based on real historical figures. As a group of Japanese samurai crosses half of the world to deliver a message of their Japanese master to the King of Spain, a Spanish missionary that accompanies them goes on his own spiritual mission of service to God. The name of the novel - Samurai, the one who serves their master - becomes symbolic here, and applies both to the missionary and the Japanese warriors, who live their lives for someone else.
For me the book is a about emotional closeness and companionship. The ritualistic Christianity is countered by each one’s private Jesus, who stays by one’s side always, when others turn away. For me it it is a very sad take on closeness, as if a true companionship is impossible with another human, and that’s why there is only God left. I’m a believer in humans, after all, in our capacity to connect and be naked in our souls with each other. Sadly, the Japanese society as shown by Endo, doesn’t seem to allow for that.