ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shusaku, Endo (born March 27, 1923 – died September 29, 1996)

Shusaku Endo was born in March 27, 1923, in Tokyo. Soon after he was born, his family
moved to Dalian, part of the Kwantung Leased Territory in Manchuria.i When his parents divorced
in 1933, his mother brought him with her back to Japan to live with an aunt in Kobe. Endo was
baptized as a Catholic at the age of 11 or 12 in 1934.

Endo studied in Keio University in 1943ii, but his studies were interrupted by the war, and was
forced to work in a munitions factory. Nonetheless, he contributed to literary journals during this
period. In 1968 he became a chief editor in Mita Bungaku.iii

He attended Waseda University for the purpose of studying medicine. He also had an interest in
French Catholic authors which gave him the drive to visit the University of Lyon in 1950. He
lectured at atleast two Tokyo Universities. In 1956, he was hired as an instructor at Sophia
University, and Seijo University assigned him the role of “Lecturer on The Theory of Novel” in
1967.

In 1954, a year after completing his studies in France, he won the Akutagawa Prizeiv for Shiroi
Hito (White Men)v. Throughout his life, bouts of disease plagued him, and he spent two years in
hospital at one point. In 1952, while studying in France, he came down with pleurisy in Paris. A
return visit in 1960 prompted another case of the same disease, and he stayed in a hospital in France
and in Japan, for the greater part of three years. It is possible that he may have contracted
tuberculosis, underwent thoracoplasty, and had a lung removed.

While Endo wrote in several genres, his works are strongly tied to Christianity if not Catholicism.
Endo has been called "a novelist whose work has been dominated by a single theme: belief in
Christianity". His books reflect many of his childhood experiences, including the stigma of being
an outsider, the experience of being a foreigner, the life of a hospital patient, and the struggle with
tuberculosis. However, his books mainly deal with the moral fabric of life.
His Catholic faith can be seen at some level in all of his books and it is often a central feature.
Most of his characters struggle with complex moral dilemmas, and their choices often produce
mixed or tragic results.

His work may often be compared to that of Graham Greene. In fact, Greene himself labeled Endo
one of the finest writers alive.

While he lost out to Kenzaburo Oe the 1994 Nobel prize for literature, he received the Order of
Culture the subsequent year.

Shortly, thereafter, Endo suffered from complications of hepatitis at Keio University Hospital in
Tokyo on September 29, 1996.

THE SAMURAI SUMMARY

The story of The Samurai revolved around the story of four Japanese, low-ranking, samurai
envoys and their journey across the Pacific to Nueva España (Mexico), across the continent,
crossing the Atlantic, towards Madrid and Rome. The story begins by describing a poor samurai’s
life which was more likely peasant like. Hasekura Rokuemon, the poor samurai, is the lord of a
few villages in marshland, and he lives a simple lifestyle with his family. His family’s ancestral
lands were taken away by a lord more superior than him. But despite of this, he shows no complain
except his aging uncle.

Hasekura is appointed to go with other three Japanese to go on a voyage across the Pacific Ocean
to Nueva España to negotiate a trade agreement with the Spanish. He is accompanied by a Spanish
missionary who also acted as the translator. This Spanish missionary, Fr. Velasco, had a deeper
motive in doing so, he is also fanatically devoted to converting Japan into a Christian country.

The envoy arrives in Acapulco, and later on across a barren desert towards Mexico City. When
they arrived, they learn that they cannot present their petitions there and, therefore, travelled across
the continent, to Veracruz. In there, they were able to acquire a ship that would take them to Spain.
However, when they arrived in Spain, their envoy was not welcomed warmly. The Spanish
authorities were not as sympathetic to their cause as the envoy had hoped. The Japanese envoy
were given a choice to convert to Christianity as they were told that their mission would fail if they
did not such, which they did for the sake of duty. They did so in high hopes that they will be able
to change the minds of the Spanish authorities with regards to their mission.

However, even doing such they still failed. They travelled to Rome, to Vatican City, for an
audience with the Pope. Their request for the dispatch of more missionaries for the conversion of
Japan was granted by the Pope, Pope Paul V, however, their request for the trade agreement with
Spain was left for the King of Spain to decide. When they returned to Spain, Rokuemon met with
the King again, but was denied again. Hence, their mission was a failure, and everything they have
done was all in vain.

The envoy retraced their steps back through Spain, across the Atlantic Ocean, through Veracruz,
through Nueva España, and across the Pacific Ocean, back to Japan. In their return, they find a
different Japan. The rulers are actively persecuting Christians and have no desire anymore for
commerce and communication with other countries. Their mission was forgotten, and their
hardships were disregarded.

Haskeura’s mission eventually became a huge failure. Leaving his home was never his desire, he
only did it out of duty and honor. But, regardless of this, Rokuemon still did not complain. In fact,
he was contented with his duty. He felt that everything was worth the sacrifice despite seeing that
they were being disregarded and he was ostracized for converting to Christianity. His new religion
helped him overcome the burdens. Unfortunately, he was also persecuted and was executed. In the
end, he held on to his new religion until his last breath.
READING ANALYSIS

The story is set in the 17th Century Japan, during the Tokugawa Period, where the regions
were ruled by feudal lords called daimyo. The story begins with a description of the poor samurai,
Hasekura Rokuemon. Endo introduces the main character as the lord who owns a few lands, who
works with his subjects that would seem like he is a subject himself. His lands are located in the
marshlands where food was scarce. And, as winter was drawing near, he must lead his people to
work harder for them to be able to feed themselves.

However, even though Rokuemon was situated with this kind of state, he never complained. The
story as to why he and his people was in this state goes years back, during when his father was still
the lord of the lands. His father was indicted for corruption and, thus, was executed. Most of their
ancestral lands were confiscated. Normally, Rokuemon should have been executed along with his
father, but the daimyo of their land gave him an opportunity to redeem their family’s honor. In
doing so, Rokuemon was placed in charge of the envoy who will travel to Europe to establish
commerce and trade with Spain, along with the request for more missionaries for the conversion
of Japan to Christianity. In return, he will be rewarded with territories, and their ancestral lands
will also be given back.

This story is actually based on a true story, about the first Japanese embassy to establish trade with
other countries in Europe. The initial purpose was for trade agreements with Spain in Madrid, and
for the propagation of Christianity in Japan.

Shusaku Endo, with his amusement for Christianity, may have seen this actual event as the perfect
story to tell. The story of a samurai who ventures out to the unknown world, converting to a religion
he has no interest in at first, all for the sake of duty and honor, seemed worthy of becoming a story
of passion and tragedy. Endo, as a literary master, picked a good opportunity to also tell the tale
of Japan’s history in this novel. A story that would make the reader experience the setting Japan
was in during that era. But Endo’s most significant point was to let the reader feel the adventure
of a person who has no idea where the journey might lead him, and what he can only trust was
himself, his duty and his honor.
I may have felt that kind of experience. It may not be the same as the samurai’s in Endo’s book,
however, I can attest to that feeling of going somewhere else, a place I am a stranger of, and the
only things I can trust are myself and the responsibility I have. Just like studying here in Baguio
City, and entering the seminary. Such were the experiences that which I can relate with the
samurai’s journey. Long way from home, but I must do this and finish this in order for my
sacrifices and my family’s sacrifices will not go in vain.

In the story, Rokuemon was converted and baptized when their envoy reached Madrid, Spain, in
order for them to be able to convince the higher authorities. However, it did not end well with
them, and they were disregarded once again. They went to Vatican City, hoping for an audience
with the Pope. Rokuemon met with the Pope, Pope Paul V, and their request for the dispatch of
more missionaries for Japan was granted, however, their request for the trade agreement with Spain
was left only for the King of Spain’s decision. Soon after, the envoy returned to Spain but their
request was declined again. The envoy returned to Japan with the mission being a failure. However,
when they returned, Japan drastically changed. The new shogun, Tokugawa Hidetada, was a more
xenophobic one. Japan was moving towards the Sokaku policy of isolation. It would have seemed
like Rokuemon’s sacrifices were all in vain.

Because Rokuemon was a Christian convert, he was also ostracized and persecuted. He was
eventually executed, and his ancestral lands were never returned to them.

In my research of the real Hasekura Rokuemon, his story does not end with him being executed.
There are records that claim that he lived the rest of his life in his estate, and died of illness.
Shusaku Endo’s reason for making Rokuemon a martyr may reflect with his fascination for
Christian martyrs. Endo is a Catholic himself. He may have a good reason for bringing the story
to a tragic ending. Perhaps he wants to let the reader experience something meaningful in
sacrificing, that things may all end up in vain. Or, perhaps, he wants to let the reader know that
faith is stronger than fear.

The Japanese Christians were all given a choice to repudiate their faith, or be tortured and executed.
Those people who belong in the lower class, e.g., peasants, servants, subjects, etc., were more
likely to be executed, while those who belong to the noble class will be exiled. Rokuemon, was a
noble class citizen (even though he was described as a poor samurai), so he most likely will only
be exiled from Japan. Hence, it was possible that he was not executed.
What I have experienced on the other hand, while reading the end of the story, was that it brings
me anxiety whenever thinking about the future. Returning to my home leaves me anxious because
I do not know what will happen to me when I get home. It feels like everything may have changed
in my hometown, and I feel like the people who were once close to me will not be close to me
anymore. Such fears drive my anxiety back and forth, and sometimes I feel like I do not want to
go back home yet. It even got to the point where I felt like I had no more interest in what I do
especially in my studies. However, like what Endo’s portrayal of Rokuemon, the main protagonist
of the story faced the changes head on, keeping his faith in-tact even on the time when he was
facing his execution. One thing I have realized in Endo’s story is that conviction and devotion play
a good role in one’s life. Returning back to my true goals in life, gave me the drive to finish what
I have started. So, in my own opinion, this was the lesson that Endo wishes to convey to his readers
of this book.

A story like this one, there is another book that Endo wrote that I would like to recommend to
people, this one is called The Silence. The story is somewhat reflective to this book The Samurai.
The story of The Silence also revolves around the same period as The Samurai. It is a story about
a young missionary’s burdens and dilemmas while looking for his predecessor in Japan. There is
also movie adaptation of this book that I would also like to recommend others to watch.
PROPOSED ACTIVITY

1. Title of the Activity

 Setting Goals

2. Objectives

 To be able to set future plans for establishing a permanent goal in life.

3. Target Participants

 Senior Highschool Graduating Students (Grade 12)

Rationale : Graduating students from senior highschool should, at the very least,
already have established goals in their lives. For the reasons that: (1) it will save them
the time to prepare because they already of clear plans for their future, (2) it will help
their selves more in the process, as to what their true passions are, and lastly (3) it will
also help their parents financially because they will not have the need to shift courses
or transfer schools in the future, for the fact that they have already established a path
for themselves already.

4. Materials Needed

 Photocopies of the book, The Samurai by Shusaku Endo

5. Procedure

 The instructor (or the sub-instructor in case the instructor is absent) will let
the students read first the book, The Samurai; a photocopy of the book will
be provided by the instructor himself for each of the students. The instructor
(or the sub-instructor in case the instructor is absent) will then instruct the
 students to give an analysis of the story in relation to the topic “Setting Goals
in Life”, and have them write their own goals in life, answering the question:
“What is/are your true goals in life? What are you aiming on becoming?
What do you want in life?”; to be done on a short coupon bond. This paper
is to be submitted a week before the final exams of the students.
 Short coupon bond, minimum of 3 pages, Font Style: Times New Roman,
Font Size: 12, Margins: 1 inch, Spacing: 1.5

6. Projected Processing Question

 “Picture or imagine yourselves 7 years from now, and ask yourselves this: ‘Is
this what I really wanted myself to be?’”
CONCLUSION

Setting up goals and establishing them as a part of your life is an important note to the self.
Before facing decisions, or before deciding them, it is important to think of the underlying
consequences first. Will I like it? Is it what I really want? Will I be contented with it? Such
questions are also needed to be considered before establishing permanent goals.

Yes, things happen spontaneously and that there are things that happen far from what was planned.
However, living a life without plans can also lead to a life without any direction nor meaning. A
person who has no plans tends to rely on others and become dependent. This will burden the other
person, and he too will not be able to establish his own plans. The burden will become contagious,
as the other person will also rely on another person to achieve his plans. This will lead to
expectations for the others, that when they are not met, resentments will arise. And, as resentments
arise, suffering too, for they are not going to be contented with their lives.

So, setting goals is a good strategy for discovering the self. With the discovery of the self,
contentment comes with it. And, if a person is contented with his life, then he will not suffer nor
feel any resentment to himself and to others. He will have a peaceful life in the end. He will be
able to become happy.

However, setting up goals comes with an underlying responsibility. It needs devotion and
conviction. It requires sacrifices. In the book, The Samurai, it may be a tragedy for the main
character, but Rokuemon kept his devotion firm. His faith became his strength. And, even though
he was already being ostracized and disregarded, he did not complain because he knew in his heart
that he had found something very important in the end. He had reached his goal. He died firmly
believing in that goal.

Setting goals in life and trying to achieve them successfully requires determination. Being
determined to go through anything that will stand in the way between you and your goals is a sign
that your conviction is firm, and that you are devoted on overcoming the struggles. But, before
that, you should, first, always consider knowing what your true goals are. And, when you are
already sure of them, make sure to give showcase the best of your abilities to reach them. One can
always aim high, but make sure you’ll use your strong wings in doing so.
i
Manchuria is a name first used in the 17th century by the Japanese to refer to a large geographic region in Northeast
Asia. Depending on the context, Manchuria can either refer to a region that falls entirely within the People's
Republic of China, or a larger region divided between China and Russia. Manchuria is widely used outside China to
denote the geographical and historical region. This region is the traditional homeland of ethnics in different
languages,[3] such as Buyeo, Xianbei, Shiwei, Khitan, and Jurchen (later called Manchu) peoples, who built several
states within the area.
ii
See https://www.britannica.com/biography/Endo-Shusaku
iii
A Japanese literary magazine established in 1910 at Keio University that published early works by young Japanese
authors such as Yōjirō Ishizaka, Kyōka Izumi, Hakushū Kitahara, Jun'ichirō Tanizaki, Takitarō Minakami, Kojima
Masajirō, Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, and Ayako Sono. Mita Bungaku was established by student and author Mantarō
Kubota and others with help from Kafū Nagai in 1910. The magazine is published monthly. See
https://www.revolvy.com/page/Mita-Bungaku

iv
Japanese literary prize awarded semiannually for the best work of fiction by a promising new Japanese writer.
The prize is generally considered, along with the Naoki Prize (for the best work of popular fiction), Japan’s most
prestigious and sought-after literary award. See https://www.britannica.com/art/Akutagawa-Prize

v
One of the two volume novellas that Endo wrote. A story about a French collaborator of Nazi occupiers of Lyon,
assisting them on their interrogation and torture of a Catholic seminarian, who happens to be also his friend.