The Samurai is a novel by Japanese author Shusaku Endo first published in 1980. It tells a fictionalized story of a 17th-century diplomatic mission to "Nueva España" (New Spain or Mexico) by Japanese noblemen, and the cultural clash that ensues. The main character is Hasekura Rokuemon.The book won the 33rd edition of the Noma Literary Prize. Source: Wikipedia (en)