[ePub] Tuscan Springs (Images of America) by Bryon Burruss at Arts-Photography

Review

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful. Great companion to Silence! Wisdom from Fujimura as usualBy Lori A. FastThis book requires slow; thoughtful reading - much like the novel itself. I particularly enjoyed Fujimuras musings on Japans culture - how it was impacted by the presence and persecutions of its Christians; how Endo was both part of and yet removed from Japanese culture as a Christian; how even the failures of the missionaries there left an impact. I would definitely recommend this for anyone who would like greater insight into the context for the novel and its author.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Highly insightful commentary by a Japanese-American artist on Christianity in Japan and Shusaku Endōrsquo;s novel SilenceBy A. H. WagnerThe story of how this book came to be is just as interesting as the book itself. Its title and inspiration come from Shusaku Endōrsquo;s 1966 novel Silence; about a Portuguese Jesuit who goes on a mission to Japan in the 17th century and faces the terrible choice of either recanting his faith or; if he does not recant; watching Japanese Christians endure brutal torture. If you havenrsquo;t read Silence yet; I highly recommend that you do so before diving into Silence and Beauty; however; Makoto Fujimura does include a synopsis of the novel at the end of his book to provide some context. Orhellip;now that Martin Scorsesersquo;s film adaptation is out; you can go see the movie. Itrsquo;s an excellent adaptation; true to the novelrsquo;s themes; and therefore very difficult to watch; but well worth at least one viewing.Silence and Beauty relates Japanese-American artist Makoto Fujimurarsquo;s experience of becoming a Christian while in Japan studying nihonga; a traditional style of Japanese painting. Although these subjects may seem unrelated; Fujimurarsquo;s study of traditional Japanese art exposed him to the history of Christianity in Japan through his discovery of the fumi-e. Fumi-e (ldquo;stepping imagesrdquo;) are relief depictions of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary that the Tokugawa shogunate ordered suspect Japanese to trample on; those who refused to trample were identified as Christians and tortured. This discovery led Fujimura to Endōrsquo;s novel; in which the fumi-e are a prominent element of the plot. Years later; a conversation with Martin Scorsese about his film adaptation of Silence inspired Fujimura to write a book using Endōrsquo;s novel as a framework for reflections on his own experience with Christianity and Japanese culture.As a bilingual Japanese-American who has lived in Japan and the United States and shares Endōrsquo;s Christian faith; Fujimura is uniquely qualified to discuss both the cultural and religious aspects of Silence in a way that Western readers can understand. His commentary offers rare insight on how Japanese culture influenced the shape of Christianity in Japan and how Christianity; in turn; continues to shape Japanese culture to this day. I had never thought of Christianity having any significant influence on Japanese culture; as less than one percent of Japanese are Christians. Fujimura admits his is a ldquo;radical notion;rdquo; but it is certainly intriguing: ldquo;Endō hellip;wrote in a country haunted by Christ; and this historical mark; like the footprints in the wooden frames of a fumi-e; remains indeliblemdash;but it is concealed; hidden within the Japanese psyche; this explains the psychological and sociological reality that affects Japan today. Further; I present here the most radical notion: Japan is still a Christ-hidden culture; haunted by the past; with a developed sense of hiding well what is most important. Endō; an archaeologist of cultural trauma; begins to dip into the mud; scooping up the elements of broken shards of the culture of Christianity in Japan; and discovers; in my mind; the essential beauty and humanity of Japan.rdquo;Silence and Beauty is highly illuminating to the themes in Endōrsquo;s novel and to the more subtle aspects of Japanese culture I was not aware of. Fujimura also sheds light on the life of Shusaku Endō; drawing from memoirs and interviews to interpret the authorrsquo;s motivation and inspiration for writing Silence; which I found especially fascinating. If you want to understand more about Silence; its author Shusaku Endō; the mysterious relationship between Japanese culture and Christianity in Japan; or at least one of the above; you canrsquo;t have a better guide than Makoto Fujimura.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. The work of a brilliant mind. SoulfulBy Shann RayPowerful. Multi-faceted. The work of a brilliant mind. Soulful. Deeply intimate.Silence and Beauty is a classic work of art.The book is a call to the world for reconciliation; understanding; and a depth of intimacy that can heal us and return us to each other and to a humble seeking of God in both silence and beauty that surrounds us daily and attends us in the wake of our continual Ground Zeros.Respectful to people of all faiths. Respectful of those who seek and may find themselves at odds either with faith or atheism.Caring to the very bones of our existence.Silence and Beauty is a song to Japan; and through this vessel of wisdom and love; a song to the cultures of the world.