Serious, theologically charged high-quality fiction: complete, uncomfortable, rich in detail.

Awarded the Noma Literary Prize in 1980 - a darkly absorbing depiction of the first Japanese voyage across the Pacific, from the author of Silence.

In 17th century Japan, a diplomatic mission departs for the West. Among the dangers they face at sea and in foreign courts are the ambitious Spanish missionary Pedro Velasco and Hasekura Rokuemon, a neglected samurai determined to restore his family's position. They travel to Mexico City, to Rome, and back again - but the new leaders of Japan are persecuting Christians and, if the men survive the journey, they may not survive their return.

This true story of courage and endurance is told with Endo's signature, combining power and simplicity.

Part of the Pushkin Press Classics series: timeless storytelling by iconic literary figures, selected from around the world.

Translated by Van C. Gessel. SHUSAKU ENDO (1923-1996) was one of Japan's greatest post-war novelists. Baptized as a Roman Catholic in childhood, his work explores the relationship between East and West from his unique perspective as a Japanese Christian. Endo has won the Akutagawa Prize and the Yomiuri Literary Prize, has been nominated multiple times for the Nobel Prize, and has received the Order of Culture from the Japanese government. Among his other novels are Deep River, The Sea and Poison, and his masterpiece Silence, all published or scheduled to be published by Pushkin Press.

VAN C. GESSEL (b. 1950) is the former dean of the College of Humanities at Brigham Young University and the primary English translator of Shusaku Endo's work. He holds a PhD in Japanese Literature from Columbia University and in 2018 received Japan's Order of the Rising Sun for his contributions as a translator of Japanese literature.

Pages: 368, Dimensions: 12.9x12.9cm