Synopsis
In the 17th century, a young Portuguese Jesuit priest, Sebastian Rodrigo, receives news that his mentor, Ferreira, has renounced his faith in Japan. He stows away with his colleague, Garupe, to investigate the truth.
Accompanied by their Japanese guide, Kichijiro, they infiltrate the Goto Islands and deepen their connections with hidden Christians. However, they soon find themselves pursued by the shogunate’s persecution. As believers are tortured and martyred, Rodrigo continues to pray for a miracle from God, but God remains silent.
Eventually, Rodrigo is betrayed by Kichijiro and captured. He reunites with Ferreira, who has renounced his faith, at the Nagasaki Magistrate’s Office. Witnessing the suffering of his tortured followers, he is told, “By renouncing my faith, I can save them.”
After much anguish, Rodrigo decides to step on the fumie. At that moment, the voice of Jesus rings in his ears:
“Tread on me, for I was born into this world to be trampled on by you.”
God was not silent, but was suffering with him—this realization leads Rodrigo’s faith to a new form.
Thoughts
I think I first read this book when I was in junior high school.
While I felt the power of faith, it also made me think about what God and religion are.
I wonder if they are what will support me when I hit rock bottom.
I wonder if I have anything to believe in.
This work explores very profound themes, such as whether God’s “silence” is truly silence, the clash between different cultures and religions, and the dignity of human beings with vulnerabilities.
