Photo= Instagrams posted by Jakucho Setouchi

Ninety-six-year-old novelist Jakucho Setouchi's Instagram account begun in April has become a hot topic. Posts introducing her usual life, such as a breakfast scene, Buddhist sermon, or rehabilitation exercises, became popular, attracting 37,500 followers (registered viewers) within only a month from her joining Instagram.

It is said that she started Instagram due to the recommendation by Manaho Seo, her secretary. Since opening her account on April 16, she has posted 11 photos or videos as of May 17. She has shared a recent photo of herself taking pictures with a smartphone in the garden of Jakuan, her hermitage, a photo of herself in her 40s, when she was fashion conscious, a video of her using a balance ball for rehabilitation, and another video of her enjoying an image composite application. Messages such as "In fact, I am afraid of dogs," "Because I was chased by one in my childhood," or "I am working during the golden week holidays," accompany the entries revealing her character.

Setouchi has actively adopted new media so far, for example, releasing her novels as cell phone novels or electronic books. She expects a lot from Instagram also, which is a familiar medium with young people. She said, "Someday I will die. Until 'that day' comes, I wish to share my feelings against war and nuclear power with young people. I would like to send out such messages (through Instagram), too."

To see Setouchi's Instagram, visit https://www.instagram.com/jakucho_setouchi/