Set against the backdrop of Nagasaki's devastation after the atomic bombing, the story follows Takashi Nagai, a dedicated x-ray researcher and Catholic convert. As a survivor grappling with leukemia from radiation exposure, he dedicates his life to providing both physical and spiritual healing to those affected by the tragedy. His journey reflects resilience and hope amidst immense suffering, highlighting the profound impact one individual can have on a community in despair.
Following his acclaimed work, A Song for Nagasaki, in which Fr. Paul Glynn told the powerful story of Dr. Nagai, a Christian convert of remarkable courage and compassion who ministered to victims of the atomic bomb attack on his city, The Smile of a Ragpicker brings us the heroic story of Satoko Kitahara, a young, beautiful woman of wealth who gave up her riches and comfort to be among the ragpickers in the Tokyo slums. Motivated by her newfound faith in Christ, she plunged into the life of the poor, regardless of the consequences. As Satoko helped the poor with their material and spiritual needs, she also helped them to recover their self-respect and dignity. SatokoÕs story demonstrates how one personÕs life can affect so many others. Every day Satoko encountered Christ in some new and challenging way, calling the Church back to identification with the poor. Like Dr. Nagai, she expressed her faith through the sensitivity and beauty of her own Japanese culture. Satoko died a young woman, in dire poverty. Yet her death, mourned by many thousands, reflected her triumphant life of deep Christian faith and charity. This is a powerful story of reconciliation and healing, between people of different social, economic and religious backgrounds, inspired by a frail young woman of luminous faith. Illustrated with photos.Ê
Takaši Nagai (1908–1951) je považován za „Gándhího Japonska“. Byl to lékař a vědec, průkopník radiologie v Japonsku. V mládí konvertoval z ateismu ke křesťanství a oženil se s křesťankou Midori. Byl jedním z mála přeživších jaderné katastrofy z 9. srpna 1945, o níž podal svědectví ve své slavné knize Zvony Nagasaki. Dnes už probíhá proces jeho blahořečení. V ten smutný den, kdy nad čtvrtí Urakami vybuchla atomová bomba, z katedrály zbyly jen trosky. Zahynuli v nich i mnozí potomci těch, kdo ji kdysi stavěli. Doktor Nagai, vedoucí katedry radiologie na Univerzitě v Nagasaki, se nacházel v samém centru jaderné katastrofy. Přišel o svou milovanou ženu, o domov, o své spolupracovníky a přátele, o své výzkumy… Ačkoli věděl, že se vystavuje smrtícímu záření, dal se do služeb obětem výbuchu. Onemocněl nemocí z ozáření a po krátký zbytek svého života byl upoután na lůžko. Jeho chýše se stala doslova poutním místem a on sám svědkem naděje a lásky, která je silnější než smrt.
