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Shiokari Pass
Librarian note: An alternative cover for this ISBN can be found here.
Based on a true story, Shiokari Pass is a moving tale of love eclipsed by sacrifice and tragedy. The hero of this novel is the young and idealistic Nobuo Nagano, who finds himself forced to make a heart-rending decision, when he must choose between his childhood sweetheart, Fujiko, and his newly found Christian faith. Set in Hokkaido at the turn of the nineteenth century, when for the first time Western culture and ideas were beginning to challenge Japan's long-held traditions, Shiokari Pass takes an intriguing look at Japanese life and thought of a hundred years ago. Filled with drama and featuring a spectacular climax amidst the snows of Hokkaido, the book was a bestseller in Japanese and a successful motion picture as well. Based on the life of a high-ranking railway employee who was revered for his humanitarian deeds, Shiokari Pass offers a revealing glimpse of the long, hard road traveled by Japanese Christians.
Based on a true story, Shiokari Pass is a moving tale of love eclipsed by sacrifice and tragedy. The hero of this novel is the young and idealistic Nobuo Nagano, who finds himself forced to make a heart-rending decision, when he must choose between his childhood sweetheart, Fujiko, and his newly found Christian faith. Set in Hokkaido at the turn of the nineteenth century, when for the first time Western culture and ideas were beginning to challenge Japan's long-held traditions, Shiokari Pass takes an intriguing look at Japanese life and thought of a hundred years ago. Filled with drama and featuring a spectacular climax amidst the snows of Hokkaido, the book was a bestseller in Japanese and a successful motion picture as well. Based on the life of a high-ranking railway employee who was revered for his humanitarian deeds, Shiokari Pass offers a revealing glimpse of the long, hard road traveled by Japanese Christians.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1968
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591 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
August 21, 2022
writing this right after finishing and UGH I’M SO CRUSHED. the last few pages literally made me burst spontaneously into tears on my living room sofa gOODBYE!!!!
i’ve never read something like this before. after countless japanese novels, i’ve grown used to the buddhist and shinto undertones, and even learned to truly appreciate them. but christianity in japanese literature?? my closest brush was with shusako endo’s silence, and uhhh yeah, not exactly the easiest writing to swallow.
but this book! ahhh not only does miura write with the delicate, wistful hand that characterizes the best japanese novelists, she also dives so deeply into the christian faith at every stage. this isn’t a book revolving around an established believer; it’s about a very human, honest journey to faith where sin and redemption are discovered for the first time. that, tied in with the meiji era backdrop and the historical ostracism of christians in japan, has cemented this novel as something truly exceptional in my mind.
please read!!
i’ve never read something like this before. after countless japanese novels, i’ve grown used to the buddhist and shinto undertones, and even learned to truly appreciate them. but christianity in japanese literature?? my closest brush was with shusako endo’s silence, and uhhh yeah, not exactly the easiest writing to swallow.
but this book! ahhh not only does miura write with the delicate, wistful hand that characterizes the best japanese novelists, she also dives so deeply into the christian faith at every stage. this isn’t a book revolving around an established believer; it’s about a very human, honest journey to faith where sin and redemption are discovered for the first time. that, tied in with the meiji era backdrop and the historical ostracism of christians in japan, has cemented this novel as something truly exceptional in my mind.
please read!!
March 27, 2016
You know those books that just upend your entire life? That make you stare blankly at nothing, questioning your existence after you finish reading? Yeah this book just did that to me. Wow.
March 2, 2020
Lo he disfrutado muchísimo hasta que llega a su recta final. ¡Que lástima!
August 30, 2022
this is a rich, rich book. sanctification runs throughout it, sanctification from pride, lust, and hate, in a way that convicts the reader totally.
as an american christian, much of my faith has been lived out in words. in a place where christianity is simultaneously normalized and villainized, it seems that somehow no one knows quite how to feel about this faith, that we’re all viewing christianity through an obscuring veil. perhaps it also has to do with the institutionalization of faith, which positions it almost as an intellectual exercise.
in shiokari pass and in meiji japan, it seems no such distortions are possible. people live their lives with simple but raw reality, and that includes the (few) christians. this enables them, and nobuo nagano in particular, to manifest their faith in clear action. this contrast with our diminished faith transforms the book into a harsh rebuke against the average american christian, but one partly ameliorated by its constant reminder: under christ, even these failings are forgiven!
a last remark: God really does use some people in miraculous ways. masao nagano must be counted among the ranks of peter and paul and augustine and many others. his story, as told in nobuo nagano, with all its careful thought and wholehearted commitment, is a beautiful template for other christians. it’s hard to describe the admiration i felt for someone who confronted difficult commands (loving enemies, resisting even the temptation to adultery, submitting one’s life wholly to God) so honestly. i’m immensely grateful to God for these people, who inspire and encourage the rest of us.
as an american christian, much of my faith has been lived out in words. in a place where christianity is simultaneously normalized and villainized, it seems that somehow no one knows quite how to feel about this faith, that we’re all viewing christianity through an obscuring veil. perhaps it also has to do with the institutionalization of faith, which positions it almost as an intellectual exercise.
in shiokari pass and in meiji japan, it seems no such distortions are possible. people live their lives with simple but raw reality, and that includes the (few) christians. this enables them, and nobuo nagano in particular, to manifest their faith in clear action. this contrast with our diminished faith transforms the book into a harsh rebuke against the average american christian, but one partly ameliorated by its constant reminder: under christ, even these failings are forgiven!
a last remark: God really does use some people in miraculous ways. masao nagano must be counted among the ranks of peter and paul and augustine and many others. his story, as told in nobuo nagano, with all its careful thought and wholehearted commitment, is a beautiful template for other christians. it’s hard to describe the admiration i felt for someone who confronted difficult commands (loving enemies, resisting even the temptation to adultery, submitting one’s life wholly to God) so honestly. i’m immensely grateful to God for these people, who inspire and encourage the rest of us.
September 5, 2022
I don't remember where I heard about this book, but this is not at all the story I was expecting when I read the synopsis. I was thinking it would read more like Silence, that is, rather hard to read in the way certain classics are, but also in the way certain stories about persecuted Christians are.
Instead, I got very simple prose that was very easy to read. And also, I just really enjoyed reading the story. It felt honest and simple, and at the same time it had a depth that you don't really see in a lot of books now days.
From what I've read (I did a little research on the true story after reading the book ;P), I'm pretty sure a lot of it was fictionalized, so I'm not sure how much of it is actually accurate. But a lot of it just felt so real. The way the main character was written was so relatable. Sometimes painfully so. (The sheer amount of overthinking... AHH!)
I also really enjoyed learning more about the Japanese culture, and what Christianity was like there. It's always refreshing to read about true believers who will follow their convictions no matter what.
In conclusion, I kind of loved this book.
Instead, I got very simple prose that was very easy to read. And also, I just really enjoyed reading the story. It felt honest and simple, and at the same time it had a depth that you don't really see in a lot of books now days.
From what I've read (I did a little research on the true story after reading the book ;P), I'm pretty sure a lot of it was fictionalized, so I'm not sure how much of it is actually accurate. But a lot of it just felt so real. The way the main character was written was so relatable. Sometimes painfully so. (The sheer amount of overthinking... AHH!)
I also really enjoyed learning more about the Japanese culture, and what Christianity was like there. It's always refreshing to read about true believers who will follow their convictions no matter what.
In conclusion, I kind of loved this book.
June 23, 2014
Yes.. this book is THAT good! it even made me cry.. (which I rarely do when I read a book).. I picked up this book accidentally at a discounted book store.. it was so cheap so I just grabbed it after reading the short sinopsis on the back cover.. and it was one of my biggest discovery so far.. I have recommended 2 friends to read it and they equally impressed.. and what's even greater .. this was based on true story.. this is the kind of book that will make you feel like you want to meet the character.. (if possible)... They say they have it in movie too.. I don't know how to search for it.. it must be a really really old Japanese drama..
March 16, 2024
will be processing this for the next few months. i don’t even have words. かんどうした
April 1, 2011
Honestly, I was disappointed in the book. I am giving it the benefit of the doubt that a lot of the reason the book is lacking is because of the translation.
The book just has no "literary" elements to it. There is no subtext or complexity to the plot. It is all just out there and straight forward. It is overly didactic. The translators are British and so there a lot of British idioms, having Japanese people say "Fancy that"...just felt very weird.
On the other hand, the Christian message in the book is great! All of the Christians in the novel are good examples of how a Christian should live their life. The neat thing to witness in the book is how people become Christian, by seeing the example of others. I think this is a good lesson for us today that we are being watched and observed and our life is a testimony abut God everyday. Our actions can positively affect the world around us and we can help bring others to Jesus just by being faithful to what God has asked us to do: Love the Lord with all your heart and love your neighbors as yourself.
SO, as far as a Christian novel goes--the message is great. As far as it being a good piece of literature...I wish I could read it in Japanese and hopefully it fairs better in the original language.
The book just has no "literary" elements to it. There is no subtext or complexity to the plot. It is all just out there and straight forward. It is overly didactic. The translators are British and so there a lot of British idioms, having Japanese people say "Fancy that"...just felt very weird.
On the other hand, the Christian message in the book is great! All of the Christians in the novel are good examples of how a Christian should live their life. The neat thing to witness in the book is how people become Christian, by seeing the example of others. I think this is a good lesson for us today that we are being watched and observed and our life is a testimony abut God everyday. Our actions can positively affect the world around us and we can help bring others to Jesus just by being faithful to what God has asked us to do: Love the Lord with all your heart and love your neighbors as yourself.
SO, as far as a Christian novel goes--the message is great. As far as it being a good piece of literature...I wish I could read it in Japanese and hopefully it fairs better in the original language.
January 8, 2011
Wow. What a book. I love how it brought Japanese culture to life in such wonderful descriptions and detail. This book is based on a true story of a man's incredible spiritual journey and conversion. We first meet him when he is a ten-year-old boy. I loved reading about the spiritual and developmental journey of this man (called in the story, Nabuo Nagano). His conclusions about life and the teachings of Jesus inspire me to be a better person and disciple of Jesus Christ. This book is credited with helping change the perception of Christians in Japan. There used to be huge prejudices against them. The original Japanese version of this book was a best-seller in Japan in the late 60's and early 70's.
SPOILER ALERT:
I was not prepared for the final 15 pages of this book. Wow. I can say I haven't cried that hard from reading a book since I can remember, possibly ever in my life! But I am inspired to look inside myself to see what kind of disciple I am, and I am determined to do better.
SPOILER ALERT:
I was not prepared for the final 15 pages of this book. Wow. I can say I haven't cried that hard from reading a book since I can remember, possibly ever in my life! But I am inspired to look inside myself to see what kind of disciple I am, and I am determined to do better.
February 3, 2013
No soy muy ávido a las novelas, pero cuando las leo alguna busco altura en los argumentos y una semblanza cultural. Ediciones Palabra hace un gran esfuerzo por traducir y reflejar la bella historia que Ayako Miura quiere aproximar. A los latinos siempre se nos dificulta la cultura japonesa, por los grandes conflictos históricos y la divergencia sentimental. Bella historia, aunque doctrinalmente me encontre con algunos obstáculos para "reconocer" la riqueza de los valores cristianos. En fin, bella historia, gran escritura y buen método literario.
Recomendable totalmente, en esta época de sentimentalistas empedernidos (algo que es realmente triste),pocos autores como Ayako que hacen una semblanza en el tema de la caridad y la fuerza del testimonio, un tópico universal de suma importancia para salir de crisis y adversidades, hasta las mas "duras" de comprender (claramente con el sentido humano).
Recomendable totalmente, en esta época de sentimentalistas empedernidos (algo que es realmente triste),pocos autores como Ayako que hacen una semblanza en el tema de la caridad y la fuerza del testimonio, un tópico universal de suma importancia para salir de crisis y adversidades, hasta las mas "duras" de comprender (claramente con el sentido humano).
July 25, 2018
0 stars if I could. I don't remember who recommended this to me but if I find them they're getting an uppercut.
This book is a thinly veiled attempt at proselytizing, with a healthy dose of ableism thrown in. The main character is a wooden board and his romance interest is a lampshade.
This book is a thinly veiled attempt at proselytizing, with a healthy dose of ableism thrown in. The main character is a wooden board and his romance interest is a lampshade.
June 9, 2025
I’m not a fan of how religious this book is but I loved how Miura wrote about Nobuo’s life. Poetically written with beautiful descriptions of seasons, flowers, food, and friendships. The end to the story completely threw me, which I liked and which made me give it four stars instead of three. Even if I don’t like religion, I appreciate the altruism this book encourages. Prepare to bawl.
August 16, 2017
I have just finished Shiokari Pass, by Ayako Miura. A beautiful story, set in Japan. I loved the Japanese names, and the glimpse into their culture.
A bit slow to read – the story only really starts near the end, and there's a sad ending.
A Christian tale, a man who tried to live his life like Christ's.
A bit slow to read – the story only really starts near the end, and there's a sad ending.
A Christian tale, a man who tried to live his life like Christ's.
January 20, 2008
So, I'm in a "rut," but it's a good rut. I'm trying to read everything written by Ayako Miura that's been translated into English. So far I only know of 4 books that fit this description (Heart of Winter, Wind is Howling, Freezing Point, Shiokari Pass). Any more I'm missing?
I really have enjoyed Miura's writing so far. Shiokari Pass was no exception. The author really takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster through the first couple of chapters. In the space of just a few pages, I went from thinking that the main character's mother was dead and that his father was doing a good job of conscientiously raising his son to thinking that his father is a terrible two-timer having an affair with a local housewife.
Then just a few pages later, I find that everything I've thought is turned upside down as I learn that Mom is not really dead after all. And Dad is not such a "player" either. Rather, he is secretly visiting his wife on a regular basis at her house across town because he's been forbidden to remain married to this Christian woman by his devoutly Buddhist mother.
Crazy stuff. Not to mention that this book gives some really interesting peeks into Japanese culture (especially the culture of the past -- but I think there are still plenty of Japanese people who operate under very similar influences). One such example that really shocked me was the inability of the father to stand up for his own marriage in the face of his mother. It was perceived as completely unacceptable, and this was a cultural expectation he was absolutely unwilling to cross (or maybe didn't even imagine it would be possible to cross). Even when it meant choosing his mother above his wife.
Again, crazy stuff. Other concepts touched on in the course of the story:
Sexual struggles (especially fantasy & invitation to the red district) as experienced by a Japanese man both before & after conversion to Christianity.
The TB epidemic shortly following WWII -- wow! what a terrible disease!
The sometimes inevitable reality of having an "arch nemisis" as a Christian. This can be a very real method of spiritual attack.
I have one quibble with the way the ending of the book was written. And I'm not sure whether it was originally written with this ambiguity or whether it was created in translation... I honestly couldn't tell was was happening in the last paragraph of the book: "Suddenly Fujiko threw herself down on the track. Yoshikawa stood rooted to the spot. In his eyes, blurred with tears, Fujiko's figure and the white spiraea blended together. Her heart-rending cries reached him clearly. It was noon on a cloudless day at Shiokari Pass."
Is this passage depicting Fujiko's graphic display of grief, or has she just committed suicide? I wasn't sure how to take this description. A couple people I've talked to since I read the book have assured me that Fujiko was simply grieving, and is still alive and well at the end of the book -- Phew!!!
--Jen
I really have enjoyed Miura's writing so far. Shiokari Pass was no exception. The author really takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster through the first couple of chapters. In the space of just a few pages, I went from thinking that the main character's mother was dead and that his father was doing a good job of conscientiously raising his son to thinking that his father is a terrible two-timer having an affair with a local housewife.
Then just a few pages later, I find that everything I've thought is turned upside down as I learn that Mom is not really dead after all. And Dad is not such a "player" either. Rather, he is secretly visiting his wife on a regular basis at her house across town because he's been forbidden to remain married to this Christian woman by his devoutly Buddhist mother.
Crazy stuff. Not to mention that this book gives some really interesting peeks into Japanese culture (especially the culture of the past -- but I think there are still plenty of Japanese people who operate under very similar influences). One such example that really shocked me was the inability of the father to stand up for his own marriage in the face of his mother. It was perceived as completely unacceptable, and this was a cultural expectation he was absolutely unwilling to cross (or maybe didn't even imagine it would be possible to cross). Even when it meant choosing his mother above his wife.
Again, crazy stuff. Other concepts touched on in the course of the story:
Sexual struggles (especially fantasy & invitation to the red district) as experienced by a Japanese man both before & after conversion to Christianity.
The TB epidemic shortly following WWII -- wow! what a terrible disease!
The sometimes inevitable reality of having an "arch nemisis" as a Christian. This can be a very real method of spiritual attack.
I have one quibble with the way the ending of the book was written. And I'm not sure whether it was originally written with this ambiguity or whether it was created in translation... I honestly couldn't tell was was happening in the last paragraph of the book: "Suddenly Fujiko threw herself down on the track. Yoshikawa stood rooted to the spot. In his eyes, blurred with tears, Fujiko's figure and the white spiraea blended together. Her heart-rending cries reached him clearly. It was noon on a cloudless day at Shiokari Pass."
Is this passage depicting Fujiko's graphic display of grief, or has she just committed suicide? I wasn't sure how to take this description. A couple people I've talked to since I read the book have assured me that Fujiko was simply grieving, and is still alive and well at the end of the book -- Phew!!!
--Jen
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2020
Loosely based on the real life account of a Christian railway employee, Nagano Masao, this is a story of a boy (later a man) finding faith and the love of his life through constant self-questioning.
While a lot of this book revolves around Christianity, it doesn’t preach to you. Instead, it comes off more as a regular coming of age narrative that just happens to have religion as a major theme. The plot started very interestingly as the main character, Nagano Nobuo, struggle to come to terms with the sudden revelation that he has estranged Christian mother and sister—having previously told by his grandma that his mother was dead, and that Christianity (and “Yaso”) is BAD. There’s a variety of interesting and memorable characters along the way, including Nagano’s family members; his childhood friend and role model, Yoshikawa; his co-worker and the most annoying character in the novel (albeit for a thematically relevant reason), Mihori; and last but not least, Fujiko, the other half of a bittersweet love story that goes all the way back since Nobuo’s childhood.
In many other cases, I tend to scoff at seemingly perfect characters like adult Nobuo, as I often found them uninteresting and unrealistic. However, the first half of the book did a great job portraying how Nobuo’s experience and people around him shaped his worldview and contributed to him becoming a great idealistic man beloved by everyone. In fact, Nobuo’s childhood was the best part of the book: it’s funny, poignant, and thought-provoking, relying on small intimate moments and the boy’s candid earnestness to deliver a great reading experience. As Nobuo grows up, the book mostly shunned unnecessary melodrama and antagonists in favor of internal conflicts, as Nobuo has to make tough decisions related to his family, work, love life, and religious belief.
So yes, I enjoyed the grounded slice-of-life vibe that was present for most of Shiokari Pass, which is why the climactic scene comes off as jarring and perhaps even regrettable. While (somewhat) based on a true story, the way it was dramatized kinda left a sour taste on my mouth. There’s no denying it’s a , but it’s still a clichéd way to deliver a message and didn’t jive well with the rest of the story.
Still, there were many great values imparted throughout the journey. The romance could’ve been better (sharing more from Fujiko’s PoV would’ve been a good start), but it’s also genuinely touching. Regardless of one’s personal religious belief, the journey of Nobuo Nagano is a poignant universal reminder that you are always what you choose to be, instead of what you are born with.
While a lot of this book revolves around Christianity, it doesn’t preach to you. Instead, it comes off more as a regular coming of age narrative that just happens to have religion as a major theme. The plot started very interestingly as the main character, Nagano Nobuo, struggle to come to terms with the sudden revelation that he has estranged Christian mother and sister—having previously told by his grandma that his mother was dead, and that Christianity (and “Yaso”) is BAD. There’s a variety of interesting and memorable characters along the way, including Nagano’s family members; his childhood friend and role model, Yoshikawa; his co-worker and the most annoying character in the novel (albeit for a thematically relevant reason), Mihori; and last but not least, Fujiko, the other half of a bittersweet love story that goes all the way back since Nobuo’s childhood.
In many other cases, I tend to scoff at seemingly perfect characters like adult Nobuo, as I often found them uninteresting and unrealistic. However, the first half of the book did a great job portraying how Nobuo’s experience and people around him shaped his worldview and contributed to him becoming a great idealistic man beloved by everyone. In fact, Nobuo’s childhood was the best part of the book: it’s funny, poignant, and thought-provoking, relying on small intimate moments and the boy’s candid earnestness to deliver a great reading experience. As Nobuo grows up, the book mostly shunned unnecessary melodrama and antagonists in favor of internal conflicts, as Nobuo has to make tough decisions related to his family, work, love life, and religious belief.
So yes, I enjoyed the grounded slice-of-life vibe that was present for most of Shiokari Pass, which is why the climactic scene comes off as jarring and perhaps even regrettable. While (somewhat) based on a true story, the way it was dramatized kinda left a sour taste on my mouth. There’s no denying it’s a , but it’s still a clichéd way to deliver a message and didn’t jive well with the rest of the story.
Still, there were many great values imparted throughout the journey. The romance could’ve been better (sharing more from Fujiko’s PoV would’ve been a good start), but it’s also genuinely touching. Regardless of one’s personal religious belief, the journey of Nobuo Nagano is a poignant universal reminder that you are always what you choose to be, instead of what you are born with.
January 14, 2023
Really more like two and a half. This was an interesting fictionalized biography, but a little too evangelical for my taste. I learned a bit about the history of Christians in Japan during the Meiji era, but again, it made it sound like the triumphant march of Jesus through Japanese society, when really even today the percentage of the population is under 2%. However, it was a thoughtful, believable portrayal of a typical child of the samurai class, growing up, having various experiences and encounters which lead him to choose to become a Christian. Unfortunately, once he did convert, he became a little over-the-top angelical and perfect, with a dramatic martyr death to top it off. Meh.
December 26, 2018
One can identify himself in character of nobuo probably in each stage of his coming to Christian faith. You might be the cynical stage or trying to figure yourself ... The ending shocked me and in a way reminded ourselves the true meaning of this life which is to live like Christ, love our God and neighbours- even though they are not lovable. As only love can truly change a person.
August 27, 2023
氷点、続氷点の後、友人の紹介で読みました。
ついつい息んでしまうほどハマりました。
実際に起こった出来事をベースにこの物語を書かれたそうです。
でももう当分三浦綾子はいいかなって気持ちです。
ついつい息んでしまうほどハマりました。
実際に起こった出来事をベースにこの物語を書かれたそうです。
でももう当分三浦綾子はいいかなって気持ちです。
February 2, 2008
very moving.
January 26, 2025
Sau Băng Điểm, tôi tiếp tục bước vào thế giới văn chương của Miura với tác phẩm “Đèo Shiokari”. Lấy cảm hứng từ một câu chuyện có thật ở Asahikawa - Hokkaido, nữ tác giả đã mang đến cho độc giả cuộc đời của nhân vật Nagano Nobuo đi qua những thăng trầm của cuộc đời cùng với quan điểm nhân sinh được vun đắp và thay đổi với nhiều tầng ý nghĩa.
“Dĩ nhiên là anh cũng muốn được sống mãi, thế nhưng đến một lúc nào đó, khi phải nhắm mắt thì anh muốn được ra đi thật hạnh phúc”
Tác phẩm bắt đầu với Nobuo 10 tuổi, xuất thân trong một gia đình thuộc tầng lớp Samurai cũ, sống và lớn lên cùng bà nội và cha tại Edo với suy nghĩ rằng mẹ ruột đã mất. Bỗng một ngày, người bà theo đạo Phật của mình đột tử. Nobuo gặp lại người mẹ cùng một cô em gái cùng cha và biết được mẹ là tín đồ đạo Cơ Đốc và phải từ bỏ việc nuôi cậu để giữ đạo. Tác phẩm kể lại cuộc đời của nhân vật chính theo khung thời gian từ bé đến khi trưởng thành, từ mối quan hệ gia đình với bố, mẹ, em gái và bạn bè thời tiểu học cho đến các mối quan hệ xã hội khi trưởng thành. Người đọc sẽ từ từ bước vào thế giới tâm hồn từ thơ ngây đến khi chín muồi thấm nhuần đạo lý của Nobuo qua ngòi bút tài ba của cố tác giả Miura Ayako.
Với gần 350 trang sách chia làm 20 chương nhỏ, phải nói mỗi chương nhỏ này cũng hoàn toàn có tách riêng làm 1 câu chuyện để có thể lôi ra cho học sinh hay chuyên gia phân tích trong các tiết văn học do tính văn chương, miêu tả cảnh sắc, tâm lý và tính thơ ca ngập tràn, không hề sơ sài.
Lâu rồi mình mới lại xúc động với một tác phẩm như vậy, từ từ sống cùng cuộc đời của Nobuo từ trang sách đầu tiên cho đến trang sách cuối cùng, mình tin rằng họ sẽ sống trong lòng của nhiều độc giả sau nhiều năm sau khi đọc tác phẩm này.
"Không ai là công chính, dẫu một người cũng không"
February 10, 2022
This was a recommendation from my husband as it is a well known novel in Japan. The book is inspired by the true story of Nagano Masao, a christian railway worker in Hokkaido (northernmost island of Japan) who sacrificed himself to save others in a railway accident.
We are introduced to the main character in the novel Nagano Nobuo, in his childhood years and see how his experiences in childhood shape him into the adult he becomes. I did enjoy reading Nobuo’s thoughts on the world as he was growing up. But I just couldn’t connect with the novel. While it is a beautiful story it just didn’t resonate with me. There were some things I just couldn’t accept at certain plot points, and I felt the explanation/justification was lacking, when characters were trying to explain why they became christian, etc.
The translation felt awkward in places, and dialogue was difficult to read through, sometimes I wasn’t sure who was saying what. Part of the awkwardness may have come from the translators being British as there were some idioms and colloquialisms I wasn’t used to. I tired to enjoy this novel as I am a big fan of Endo Shusaku’s Silence, but I couldn’t connect with the story on the level I could with Silence. I may give the novel another try in Japanese, if I can find a used copy the next time I visit family.
Overall, I suppose I could recommend this to anyone who enjoys Christian fiction and is curious about Christianity in Japan. But I feel that Endo Shusaku’s Silence does a better job of illustrating christianity in Japan and some of the moral dilemma’s Christians faced.
We are introduced to the main character in the novel Nagano Nobuo, in his childhood years and see how his experiences in childhood shape him into the adult he becomes. I did enjoy reading Nobuo’s thoughts on the world as he was growing up. But I just couldn’t connect with the novel. While it is a beautiful story it just didn’t resonate with me. There were some things I just couldn’t accept at certain plot points, and I felt the explanation/justification was lacking, when characters were trying to explain why they became christian, etc.
The translation felt awkward in places, and dialogue was difficult to read through, sometimes I wasn’t sure who was saying what. Part of the awkwardness may have come from the translators being British as there were some idioms and colloquialisms I wasn’t used to. I tired to enjoy this novel as I am a big fan of Endo Shusaku’s Silence, but I couldn’t connect with the story on the level I could with Silence. I may give the novel another try in Japanese, if I can find a used copy the next time I visit family.
Overall, I suppose I could recommend this to anyone who enjoys Christian fiction and is curious about Christianity in Japan. But I feel that Endo Shusaku’s Silence does a better job of illustrating christianity in Japan and some of the moral dilemma’s Christians faced.
March 18, 2019
This novel is a significant improvement over Freezing Point in two important respects. First, the author is clearly more focused in articulating the significance which Christianity plays in the lives of the main characters and thus in her own life as well. It is the central theme and organizing principal of the plot line. Even if some readers may not like, let alone agree with, this emphasis on Christianity one can acknowledge that Miura was skillful in her presentation of it in the book.
Second, the translation into English was vastly superior to that provided in FP. The prose flowed smoothly, if not even lyrically at those times she was describing the countryside and weather of Hokkaido. The dialogue was consistently natural. Thus, the book was quite reader friendly.
While reading it I was impressed by the empathy with which Miura presented the main characters. Midway through the novel I thought of it as a mid 20th century example of what is called ‘I shosetsu’ in Japan: a style of fiction pioneered by Natsume Soseki in the early 20th century which focuses on the internal, psychological life of the protagonist. The thoughts and feelings that the main character Nobou have as a young boy, adolescent, and young adult are depicted with great skill and, at times, tenderness.
The author did a credible job of portraying late 19th/early 20th century life in Japan. The prejudice which mainstream society held toward followers of Christianity was powerfully yet accurately depicted. So were other social and familial mores.
Second, the translation into English was vastly superior to that provided in FP. The prose flowed smoothly, if not even lyrically at those times she was describing the countryside and weather of Hokkaido. The dialogue was consistently natural. Thus, the book was quite reader friendly.
While reading it I was impressed by the empathy with which Miura presented the main characters. Midway through the novel I thought of it as a mid 20th century example of what is called ‘I shosetsu’ in Japan: a style of fiction pioneered by Natsume Soseki in the early 20th century which focuses on the internal, psychological life of the protagonist. The thoughts and feelings that the main character Nobou have as a young boy, adolescent, and young adult are depicted with great skill and, at times, tenderness.
The author did a credible job of portraying late 19th/early 20th century life in Japan. The prejudice which mainstream society held toward followers of Christianity was powerfully yet accurately depicted. So were other social and familial mores.
October 20, 2024
Een inspirerend boek om te lezen, voor meerdere persoonlijke redenen; ten eerste is het een roman die zich afspeelt in Japan (een land waarin ik recentelijk veel meer geïnteresseerd ben geraakt), ten tweede heb ik het boek mogen lenen van mijn lieve vriend en was het ook op zijn aanraden dat ik het ging lezen, ten derde geeft het inzicht in de Japanse cultuur (van een aantal jaar terug wel) en hoe het christelijk geloof in Japan wordt beschouwd, en ten slotte geeft het mij een beetje inspiratie en aanmoediging om door te gaan met het schrijven van mijn eigen historische roman!
De schrijfstijl zelf vond ik een beetje tegenvallen; een literair boek zou ik het bijvoorbeeld absoluut niet kunnen noemen. Ik bedoel daar niet mee te zeggen dat het slecht geschreven was of dat er fouten en/of een storende manier van omschrijven in te vinden waren. Het verhaal is interessant en het leest vlot en prettig. Er wordt een vrij simpele taal gebruikt om het verhaal te vertellen, maar ik zat wel helemaal in het verhaal!
De schrijfstijl zelf vond ik een beetje tegenvallen; een literair boek zou ik het bijvoorbeeld absoluut niet kunnen noemen. Ik bedoel daar niet mee te zeggen dat het slecht geschreven was of dat er fouten en/of een storende manier van omschrijven in te vinden waren. Het verhaal is interessant en het leest vlot en prettig. Er wordt een vrij simpele taal gebruikt om het verhaal te vertellen, maar ik zat wel helemaal in het verhaal!
July 22, 2017
I really enjoyed this book, which I read only because I am traveling to the author's home city in Japan. I find the adoption of the Christian religion distressing, especially where one's own culture is being rejected (and devalued by the proselytizers.) By adopting the christian religion, which rejects the validity of all other religions, the adoptee is rejecting their own culture in favor of a(another) culture that devalues women and imbues a mythology with dictatorial control of their life and negates acceptance of the values of their original culture.
Otherwise, as a book I felt that I had insights in to the culture of Japan. While these characters attributed their self sacrifice to the Christian religion, after a childhood spent entirely in the Christian religion, their values definitely did NOT derive from Christian values. I can state that with authority.
I also think that it was extremely clever of the missionaries to only give the Japanese NEW Testaments.
Otherwise, as a book I felt that I had insights in to the culture of Japan. While these characters attributed their self sacrifice to the Christian religion, after a childhood spent entirely in the Christian religion, their values definitely did NOT derive from Christian values. I can state that with authority.
I also think that it was extremely clever of the missionaries to only give the Japanese NEW Testaments.
November 24, 2018
Very good book following the life of a Japanese man who, though born in raised in a Buddhist/traditional Japanese home, becomes a Christian and evangelizes to Japan. Although it was written fifty years ago (or perhaps because of this), I felt this book escaped a lot of the mainstream conversion story stereotypes. Even though the same elements were there (a Christian mother, a street preacher, miraculous medical recovery after conversion), they didn't have any of the cheesiness these types of novels tend to have. Furthermore, it was really interesting to see the Japanese perspective on Christianity, and how the main character wrestled with concepts like heaven in hell as someone who was raised in a Buddhist home. Overall, a very good book and that made me want to learn more about the guy the story is based on.
May 15, 2024
What an incredible book. Never in my life did I expect to read a piece of Japanese literature that was very Christian. It's very interesting to see Christianity from the perspective of a Shinto-Buddhist, from a Japanese person. The book is a great exploration of the many questions about life and death that a person asks in their lifetime and how the Bible subverts yet answers them in a mindblowing way. While the main character is a Japanese with strong Shinto-Buddhist upbringing, the story of his life is the story of many people who eventually become Christians. The staunchest opponents usually became the greatest advocates. It's the power of God at work in all of us. Another thing I love about the book is the tone and voice. The tone is so calm and gentle. The voice is so non-judgemental. This is the best way I can explain it but it's just very pleasant and soothing to read.
January 11, 2020
This book made me truly understand the meaning of heart-rending. I was gripped from beginning to end. This book made me feel more than I have from any book in at least 5 years. I cannot recommend this book with more sincerity.
This is historical fiction focused to a fine point, making the main character's story come alive while also providing insight on what it was like to be a Christian in 19th-century Japan.
Ayako Miura is a startlingly talented writer. I will make a point to read more of her books and I will certainly watch the Shiokari Pass move as well as check out the location since I live here in Hokkaido.
Please don't pass on Shiokari Pass!
This is historical fiction focused to a fine point, making the main character's story come alive while also providing insight on what it was like to be a Christian in 19th-century Japan.
Ayako Miura is a startlingly talented writer. I will make a point to read more of her books and I will certainly watch the Shiokari Pass move as well as check out the location since I live here in Hokkaido.
Please don't pass on Shiokari Pass!
March 14, 2024
Si no me traiciona la memoria, es la primera vez que leo una obra de una autora japonesa. Ayako Miura (1922-1999) se hizo famosa en Japón con su primera novela, Punto de congelación.
Y aunque también es conocida fuera de su país de nacimiento, yo no había oído hablar de ella hasta que me regalaron Un samurai cristiano, su novela más conocida.
La empecé sin saber bien qué me iba a encontrar, salvo una inmersión en la sociedad y cultura japonesa de principios del siglo XX. Pero va más allá y, a medida que avanzas, el protagonista te hace cómplice de temas más profundos.
La reseña completa en mi blog: https://mccucharero.com/resena-samura...
Y aunque también es conocida fuera de su país de nacimiento, yo no había oído hablar de ella hasta que me regalaron Un samurai cristiano, su novela más conocida.
La empecé sin saber bien qué me iba a encontrar, salvo una inmersión en la sociedad y cultura japonesa de principios del siglo XX. Pero va más allá y, a medida que avanzas, el protagonista te hace cómplice de temas más profundos.
La reseña completa en mi blog: https://mccucharero.com/resena-samura...
November 9, 2025
I was led to believe that this was a biographical novel about the conversion of your actual Samurai. Instead, it's about a boy born into the samurai class in Meiji era Tokyo. His father is an office worker and he becomes one as well. If I didn't know it is a translation by a real Japanese writer, I would have thought it was more bland American evangelical tract type fiction of the kind that leaves me colder than yesterday's rice. It would be easy to blame the translation, but I think it's just rather dull. The first part was okay but I've read half of it and have no interest in continuing. So many books, so little time.
April 2, 2021
The official spiel is totally inaccurate in two respects. The story is set at the turn of the twentieth century, not the nineteenth. But also the hero is not forced to choose "between his childhood sweetheart and his Christian Faith", because his childhood sweetheart has already become a Christian before he does. The choice he has to make is between the sick sweetheart he has always loved, with her newly found Christian faith (which becomes his) and his boss's pretty daughter, with all the worldly advantages that would bring.
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