THE SALT OF THE EARTH, GUNPEI YAMAMURO

THE SALT OF THE EARTH, GUNPEI YAMAMURO is the biopic of Gunpei Yamamuro (portrayed by popular Japanese actor Ryu Morioka), the man who adapted the Salvation Army to Japanese culture. His actions helped establish the Army’s evangelistic and charitable work, and its outreach to the poor, freeing as many as 10,000 young women and girls from a life of forced prostitution. The movie’s central message is the importance of Christian love and self-sacrifice, or living the Beatitudes while preaching the Gospel. The comprehensive life story follows Yamamuro’s life from his birth in 1872 to his death in 1940, referring to virtually every signpost in his life along the way.

Gunopei Yamamuro was born into a poor farming family and nearly died at birth. His mother prays for his survival, so he can serve God and man. As a token of her sincerity, she promises never again to eat an egg. After several life-changing encounters with poverty and sickness, Gunpei looks for a way to dedicate his life to preaching the Gospel to the simple and underprivileged masses. He faces a double-barrier, as Christianity is still considered a Western religion that appeals only to intellectuals. After a door miraculously opens for him to study for the ministry, it slams shut when the school is overtaken by theological liberals who deny Christ’s resurrection and Biblical inerrancy.

In time, he discovers the Salvation Army (“Kyu-Sei-Gun” in Japanese) and devotes his life to freeing thousands of young women sold into prostitution, as well as helping earthquake victims, orphans and the poor. His ability to present a foreign cultural institution in a way that common Japanese people understand made him a powerful advocate of the Gospel. One character calls him “the Dwight Moody of Japan.” He is often subject to persecution, as a Westernizer or someone ruining the pimps’ business, constantly rejoicing in his sorrows. He is aided by his wife, Kieko Sato Yamamuro (played by Miwako Wagatsuma), a helpmate in every way, who bears him eight children.

THE SALT OF THE EARTH, GUNPEI YAMAMURO has an almost continuous Christian presence in every scene. Someone is presented in prayer on average every six minutes of the movie, not including numerous scenes of people quoting the Bible (often at length), church services and street evangelism – even the singing of “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus” in Japanese! The movie’s content will inspire those who already believe, but some cultural issues (the significance of the egg in turn-of-the-century Japanese diet, for instance) limit its impact on those who don’t believe. While both Morioka and Wagatsuma are well-regarded actors in Japan, their performances seemed off-kilter, though less so than the American missionaries, who come across as wooden. Some technical elements also were missed, particularly the attempt to age the main character. Morioka looks no older on his deathbed than he does 40 years earlier. Also, some moderate violence, and the voracious eating of a dead cat, will put off other audiences, especially in America.

That said, Gunpei’s life story is an inspiration to all who see it. Christians should see his life as an example of what is possible when one person from seemingly impossible circumstances devotes his life and talents to Jesus. There is also an inspiring secondary story about the importance of self-sacrifice, particularly well executed by Gunpei’s mother and a close friend. Caution is advised for younger children because of some violence and the eating of a dead cat.