Shūsaku Endō

2.1. Early Life and Family Background

Details Endō's birth in Tokyo in 1923, his family's move to Dairen, Manchuria, during his childhood, the impact of his parents' divorce, and his mother's influence in his upbringing, including his eventual baptism into the Catholic Church.

2.2. Education and Baptism

Covers his return to Japan, his formal education, and his baptism into Catholicism at the age of 11 or 12, an event instigated by his mother or aunt, which would become a central element in his life and work.

2.3. University Studies and Interruption by War

Describes his initial enrollment at Waseda University for medical studies, his switch to literature at Keio University, the interruption of his studies due to World War II, and his work in a munitions factory.

2.4. Post-War Studies in France

Details his experience as one of the first Japanese students to study in France after the war, his time at the University of Lyon from 1950 to 1953, and how his exposure to modern French Catholic authors profoundly influenced his writing. Also touches upon health issues faced during this period.

2.5. Return to Japan and Literary Ascent

Covers his return to Japan, his marriage to Junko Okada in 1955, the birth of their son Ryūnosuke, his immediate success as a writer, winning the Akutagawa Prize for "Shiroi Hito" (White Men) in 1954, and his role as a lecturer at Sophia University and Seijo University.

2.6. Health Issues

Discusses the recurring health problems that plagued Endō throughout his life, including pleurisy during his studies in France, subsequent hospitalizations, tuberculosis, and thoracoplasty.

2.7. Later Career and Death

Outlines his continued literary production, his receipt of the Order of Culture in 1995 (despite not winning the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1994), and his death in Tokyo on September 29, 1996, due to complications from hepatitis.

3.1. Central Theme of Christianity in Japan

Examines Endō's lifelong engagement with the complexities of being a Japanese Catholic, his exploration of how Christianity is received or rejected in the "mudswamp" of Japan, and the use of allegorical characters to explore these ideas. This can include his focus on the struggles of faith in a non-Western context and the individual's relationship with a seemingly indifferent or silent God, themes resonant with concerns about spiritual alienation and the search for meaning.

3.2. Moral Dilemmas and Human Frailty

Discusses how Endō's works reflect his personal experiences, such as being an outsider and a hospital patient, and how his characters often grapple with complex moral dilemmas, leading to mixed or tragic outcomes. His compassionate portrayal of human weakness and the search for redemption can be highlighted.

3.3. Comparisons and Influences

Notes the frequent comparisons of Endō's work to that of Graham Greene, their mutual admiration, and the influence of Greene's writing on Endō's own literary process.

4.1. Novels

Lists his most important novels, which often delve into historical settings and profound spiritual and ethical questions. Examples include:

• White Man (白い人, Shiroi Hito, 1955)
• Yellow Man (黄色い人, Kiiroi Hito, 1955)
• The Sea and Poison (海と毒薬, Umi to Dokuyaku, 1957)
• Wonderful Fool (おバカさん, Obaka-san, 1959)
• Volcano (火山, Kazan, 1960)
• The Girl I Left Behind (私が棄てた女, Watashi ga Suteta Onna, 1964)
• Silence (沈黙, Chinmoku, 1966)
• The Samurai (侍, Samurai, 1980)
• Scandal (スキャンダル, Sukyandaru, 1986)
• Deep River (深い河, Fukai Kawa, 1993)

4.2. Plays

Mentions notable plays written by Endō, which often explore similar themes to his novels.

• The Golden Country (黄金の国, Ōgon no Kuni, 1966)

4.3. Other Writings

Includes other significant works such as collections of short stories, essays, or biographical studies.

• Life of Jesus (イエスの生涯, Iesu no Shōgai, 1973)
• Stained Glass Elegies (十一の色硝子, Jūichi no Iro Garasu, 1959, trans. 1984)
• Foreign Studies (留学, Ryūgaku, 1965)

5.1. 'Korianjin' and Essays

Discusses his popular series of humorous essays written under the alias 'Korianjin' (狐狸庵山人), showcasing a lighter, more satirical side of his personality and writing.

5.2. Social Engagement

Details Endō's involvement in social issues, such as his advocacy for "warm-hearted medical care," stemming from his own experiences with illness, and his role in establishing the Japan Christian Art Center. This highlights his commitment to social justice and empathetic human interaction.

6.1. Literary Significance and International Recognition

Assesses Endō's place in modern Japanese literature, his influence on subsequent writers, and his international acclaim, including his being a candidate for the Nobel Prize in Literature.

6.2. Critical Reviews

Presents an overview of the critical reception of Endō's works, including praise from figures like Graham Greene and discussions on the portrayal of complex historical and religious themes.

6.3. Religious Interpretations and Controversies

Explores the various interpretations of his portrayal of Christianity, the debates his works sparked within religious and academic circles, and his often unorthodox approach to faith which challenged traditional views by emphasizing compassion and the struggles of belief.

7.1. Family

Details his marriage to Junko Okada and the birth of their son, Ryūnosuke Endō.

7.2. Friendships and Literary Circles

Mentions his association with other writers of the "Third Generation" of post-war Japanese authors, such as Junnosuke Yoshiyuki and Shōtarō Yasuoka.

9.1. Shūsaku Endō Literary Museum

Provides information about the Shūsaku Endō Literary Museum located in Sotome, Nagasaki, dedicated to preserving and showcasing his literary heritage.

9.2. Posthumously Published Works

Notes any significant works, such as unfinished novels or correspondence, that were discovered and published after his death.