The nun who gave new life to a racy tale

Seven years ago, when Setouchi Jakucho first proposed translating the 11th-century Genji Monogatari into modern Japanese, her publishing company baulked. The way she tells it, Kodansha was not convinced yet another translation of the epic would sell. But there was another reason for its tepid response. 'The director of Kodansha feared she would die before completing the book,' said public relations chief Toyo Yoshizaki.

Death kept its distance, however, allowing Jakucho to not only finish the book, but live to see it become one of Japan's biggest bestsellers ever. And she is evidently not ready to stop. The 77-year-old is planning to pen another tome soon, this time a novel based on a 12th-century classic - though it will not likely match the success of Genji Monogatari (Tale of Genji ).

Since the completion of the 10-volume set 12 months ago, sales have topped 2.05 million and continue to be strong. 'We thought at most 250,000 copies would sell,' said Mr Yoshizaki.

It is evident Kodansha underestimated both the appeal of Jakucho and that of the book, a source of inspiration for much Noh theatre and Kabuki as well as modern Japanese literature. But perhaps the publishing house, one of Japan's largest, should have known better. Genji Monogatari is, after all, regarded as not only the country's most famous literary work, but, written a millennium ago, also the world's first novel.

Put into easy-to-understand, no-frills Japanese, it is only natural it would pique general interest, especially with its racy undertones and scurrilous descriptions of royal life - usually frowned upon in Japanese society. And written by Jakucho - a Buddhist nun with an already impressive literary portfolio - it was assured widespread publicity.

Readers not familiar with her 200-plus books - many of them bestsellers and not a few autobiographical works on sex and family - probably would pick up Genji Monogatari if only to see how a woman of the cloth would treat the story of Genji, a 'shining prince' so handsome he manages to seduce a bevy of court ladies. His appetite is such that he beds his stepmother at the age of 12 and his adopted daughter 15 years later.