Shusaku Endo (1923–96): His Japanese Context and Its Importance in the Analysis of His Relationship with Francoise Pastre (1930–71)

Abstract

Mitabungaku is one of the best-known literary journals of Japan, founded mainly by the literature graduates of Keio University, whose main literature faculty is located in Mita in Tokyo, giving the journal its title. It was at one time edited by Endo himself. In its autumn 1999 issue (volume 59) there was a surprising contribution from Genevieve Pastre, revealing that there had been a love affair between the youthful Endo and her late younger sister, Francoise. The affair started in France in 1953, and ended painfully in 1971 with Francoise’s death from cancer, in the context of her profound despair at the lack of any caring love for her on Endo’s part. The affair reminds one poignantly of the sad and unfulfilled love relationship between Aki Hayashi and Edmund Blunden, which took place similarly against the background of the meeting of two cultures.