This week I went and saw the new film, Silence, based on Shusako Endo’s book which came out in 1966 (link to trailer below). It’s a Hollywood rendition of the book that is deeply impacting and a hard watch. Spoiler alert at the start though – don’t read this if you don’t want to know the storyline.
I first became aware of the book about six months ago at Regent, where the head of a Bible College in the US gave a summer evening lecture about the book and its theological implications. It’s a pretty sorrowful and haunting story – based on the very real events of Japanese Christianity which I had not been aware of. For others also unaware, the first missionary to Japan was Francis Xavier, one of the first Jesuits, who came from India to spread the gospel in Japan in the mid 1500’s. “By 1582, there were 200 churches serving an estimated 150,000 Christians.”(1) Converts to Christianity had initially been a mix of forced conversions after the local warlord converted, with many voluntary conversions later on.
Following concerns over foreign conquests and questions of loyalty of Christians to the central authority in Japan, all priests were banned from Japan in 1614 and Japanese Christians were ordered to renounce their faith. Anti-Christian measures became even harsher under the third Tokugawa shogun, Iemitsu, who took power in 1623. It’s estimated that in 1612 there were approximately 300,000 Christians in Japan, but by 1625 there were half that or fewer (2). The persecution of Japanese Christians was brutal with the German physician and chronicler Engelbert Kaempfer, stationed at Nagasaki with the Dutch East India Co, calling it “the most cruel persecution and torture of Christians ever witnessed on this globe” (1). Apostasy (by stamping on the face of Jesus) or torture/death were the options given to many Christians. Japanese Christianity was forced underground and there were “hidden Christians” or “Kakure Kirishitan’s” who worshipped together in secret rooms or homes.
It is in this context that the book and film ‘Silence’ tell the story of two Portuguese Jesuit priests, Father Rodrigues and Father Garupe who hear that their previous mentor Father Ferreira has renounced his faith in Japan after being tortured. They set off to Japan to find him, ardent in their disbelief that he could have committed apostasy. The film follows Father Rodrigues journey in particular, as he discovers these hidden Christians in Japan, their earnest desire to follow Jesus and live out their Christian faith, receive the sacraments and joy at having priests in their midsts again. Ultimately however, Rodrigues is captured, tortured and later apostatises to save other Japanese Christians from further torture.
The film seeks to convey the deep complexities and moral ambiguities of faith. It is a complex story that leaves you with a deep seated sense of uncertainty about what you would really do in Rodrigues situation, torn between love of God and love of others, torture or apostasy, and wondering where is God in the midst of horrific persecution. Did Rodrigues sell out on his faith? Isn’t the gospel call ultimately to the cross? But does God really ask this of us when we are told by persecutors to choose between apostasy and others being tortured and killed because of our choice? What is the right thing to do in the midst of this? God is portrayed as silent in the midst of Rodrigues anguish and emotional and physical torment. It is not until the end of the film, where we hear the audible voice of God, whispering that he has been with Rodrigues throughout the journey.
I had gone with a bunch of friends from Regent and there was appropriately silence in the car on the way home as we each processed all that this film and story questions. Ultimately, I am left with many questions and not a lot of answers. But perhaps that is appropriate and where this story leads you..holding lightly to whatever we think we would do in this situation and desperately clinging to trust and faith in God in the midst of it.
(1) http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/12/20/national/history/christian-missionaries-find-japan-tough-nut-crack/#.WHxJALYrKt8
(2) https://www.tofugu.com/japan/history-of-christianity/
Breather 