A Japanese Catholic, Endo tells the story of two seventeenth-century missionaries attempting to shore up the oppressed Japanese Christian movement. Father Rodrigues has come to Japan to find the truth behind unthinkable rumours that his famous teacher, Ferreira has renounced his faith. But, after his arrival, he discovers that the only way to help the brutally persecuted Christians may be to apostatize himself.

Translated by: William Johnston