22:29YouTubeSilence (Shusaku Endo) Chapter 1Jun 4, 20215.9K Views

Outstanding Japanese writer, prominent representative of the “third new”, novelist Date of Birth: Country: Japan

Content:

1. Biography of Shusaku Endo
2. Early Life
3. University and Writing Career
4. Literary Achievements
5. Later Years and Legacy

Biography of Shusaku Endo

Shusaku Endo, a prominent Japanese writer, was born in Tokyo in He is considered a leading figure in the "third new" movement and is known for his exploration of the possibilities and distinctive characteristics of Christianity in Japan.

Often referred to as the "Japanese Graham Greene," his major works include the novels "Silence," "Samurai," "Scandal," "Deep River," and the essays "Mothers" and "The Life of Jesus." His works have been translated into many languages, including Russian.

Early Life

Endo was born in Tokyo as the second son of Tsunehisa Endo, a bank employee, and Iku, a violinist.

When he was three years old, his family moved to Dalian, a city in occupied Manchuria, due to his father's job transfer. Endo's childhood in Manchuria left a deep impact on him, as he experienced conflicting emotions caused by his growing attachment to the unique environment and nature of Manchuria, while feeling homesick for his native Japan.

His mother, who was a dedicated musician, also made a lasting impression on him with her tireless dedication to her craft.

In , Endo returned to Japan with his mother after his parents divorced. He continued his education in Kobe, where he attended a local elementary school and regularly accompanied his mother to Catholic church services.

See full list on newworldencyclopedia.org Shusaku Endo, a prominent Japanese writer, was born in Tokyo in He is considered a leading figure in the "third new" movement and is known for his exploration of the possibilities and distinctive characteristics of Christianity in Japan. Endo was born in Tokyo as the second son of Tsunehisa Endo, a bank employee, and Iku, a violinist. When he was three years old, his family moved to Dalian, a city in occupied Manchuria, due to his father's job transfer. Endo's childhood in Manchuria left a deep impact on him, as he experienced conflicting emotions caused by his growing attachment to the unique environment and nature of Manchuria, while feeling homesick for his native Japan.

At the age of twelve, he embraced Catholicism at his mother's insistence and was baptized as Paul. Endo completed his secondary education in Kobe, although his academic performance declined steadily over the years due to the discrimination he faced in school as a result of his faith.

University and Writing Career

After graduating from high school, Endo enrolled in a preparatory school affiliated with the Faculty of Literature at Keio University.

However, his father, who wanted him to pursue a medical career, disapproved and cut off his inheritance. Forced to leave home, Endo supported himself through various odd jobs while attending school. He lived in a student dormitory, where the dormitory supervisor, Yoshihiko Yoshimitsu, a prominent figure in Japanese religious existentialism, had a significant influence on him.

During the chaos preceding Japan's surrender in World War II, Endo's studies were disrupted, and he, along with other students, was mobilized for forced labor at the Kawasaki military factory.

Despite these challenges, Endo began intensive self-education under the influence of Yoshimitsu and his circle, turning his attention to books for the first time.

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Internationally, he is known for his historical fiction novel Silence , which was adapted into a film of the same name by director Martin Scorsese. Sylvester by Pope Paul VI. In , he would later become chief editor of one of these, the prestigious Mita Bungaku. Upon his return to Japan, his success as a writer was almost immediate. Throughout his life bouts of disease plagued him, and he spent two years in hospital at one point.

At Yoshimitsu's recommendation, Endo became acquainted with the works of the neo-Thomist philosopher Jacques Maritain. He also discovered poetry, particularly the works of Rainer Maria Rilke.

Endo was deemed fit for military service by the conscription board but was ultimately exempted due to pleurisy discovered at the last moment, which granted him a deferment coinciding with the end of the war.

After the war, Endo's interest in French literature led him to pursue a degree in French literature at Keio University. During his first year, he formed a lifelong friendship with Sotaro Yasuoka, another aspiring writer, and reconciled with his father, returning to his family home.

In , Endo made his debut as an essayist with an article titled "Gods and God" published in the magazine Shiki.

This work attracted the attention of the prominent writer Kiyoshi Jinzai and was subsequently published in the renowned magazine "Mita Bungaku." He continued to write essays and gained recognition within the literary circles of Japan at that time, leading to his acceptance into the Mita Bungaku group.

Literary Achievements

In , Endo's novel "White Man" was published in the literary magazine "Gendai Bungaku." The novel received widespread acclaim and earned Endo the Ryunosuke Akutagawa Prize.

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22:29YouTubeSilence (Shusaku Endo) Chapter 1Jun 4, 20215.9K Views

It was followed by the completion of another novel, "Yellow Man," in the same year. These works marked a turning point in Endo's career, establishing him as one of the most significant writers of 20th-century Japan.

In , Endo began working on his highly acclaimed and internationally translated novel "The Sea and Poison." The serialization of the novel started in the magazine "Bungakukai" in , and it received awards from the Shinto and Mainichi Publishers.

His novel "Silence," published in , further solidified his reputation as a writer. Additionally, his play "The Golden Country," based on the same material, was staged by the theater director Hiroshi Akutagawa.

Throughout his career, Endo received numerous literary awards in Japan, including the prestigious Yomiuri Literary Award in He was also nominated several times for the Nobel Prize in Literature but never received it.

Some members of the Nobel Committee disliked his book "Scandal," considering it to be pornography.

Later Years and Legacy

In the s, Endo's health deteriorated significantly. In , he underwent peritoneal dialysis and faced multiple complications.

Endo shusaku biography of william hill Shusaku Endo was born in Tokyo and grew up in Manchuria, China, where his father was transferred for work. When he was 10 years old his parents split up, and he moved with his mother back to Japan. They moved to Kobe, where his mother's sister lived, and she convinced Endo and his mother to convert to her Catholic faith. As a young adult Endo attended Keio University, where he studied French literature - much to the dismay of his distant father, who wanted him to be a doctor. Poor living conditions and stress led to his developing tuberculosis at the age of

Despite his physical suffering, Endo remained resilient and tried to find solace by identifying himself with the biblical figure Job, intending to write a commentary on the Book of Job. However, he passed away on September 29, , at the age of 73, due to pneumonia caused by an infection following a choking incident.

Endo's funeral took place at the Church of Saint Ignatius in Tokyo.

In accordance with his last wishes, two of his books, "Silence" and "Deep River," which he considered key works in his oeuvre, were placed in his coffin. Endo is recognized as one of Japan's most accomplished writers, and his works continue to be widely read and studied around the world.