Harumi Kurihara has been called Japan's most famous housewife, often compared to America's Martha Stewart and Britain's ``Naked Chef'' Jamie Oliver for her prowess in the kitchen.

Now, the 57-year-old TV celebrity has taken the plunge with her first English-language cookbook.

Kurihara has penned many best-selling cookbooks in Japanese and built a lifestyle empire.

But even she is surprised at the reception her new book ``Harumi's Japanese Cooking'' has received. More than 13,000 copies have been printed since it was published by Conran Octopus Cookery in London last September. The Gourmand Awards declared it the best cookbook in Asia in 2004.

Kurihara tries to explain her runaway success: ``For people overseas, Japanese cuisine is still something that you experience at a restaurant. But my book brings Japanese cooking to your kitchen. It becomes something you can enjoy.''

Her no-nonsense penchant for Japanese cooking, optimism and trademark special touch, have won her a strong following and booming business. Her cookbooks have sold more than 10 million copies in Japan.

Her company, Kurihara Harumi Shop, boasts annual sales exceeding 1 billion yen, marketing her Kurihara brand tableware and unique aprons.

The 80 recipes in her new book all have the signature Kurihara touch. For example, tofu, a common Japanese ingredient, is dressed up with cheese.

She is ever-conscientious of her Western fans. A traditional Japanese recipe may call for sesame paste but she suggests peanut butter because it may be easier to find overseas.

Kurihara's charm may come from the fact that she never intended to make a career of cooking. She was a homemaker until she turned 36.

Till then, it was her husband, Reiji Kurihara, a television journalist, who was in the limelight. She would entertain his friends and colleagues at home, with her cooking. Word soon got out that her dinner parties were fabulous.

Her first break came when she was invited to set up behind the scenes of a TV cooking show.

Success has drawn spiteful comments about Kurihara's ``lack of training'' since she never went to culinary school.

But that is exactly why she appeals to homemakers everywhere. Kurihara gives practical advice on what to do with leftovers. She offers a hoard of creative recipes that many women might want to consider while going about their household routines. None of this is taught in schools.

Fans say she inspires them with her joyful take on life.

``I want to cook up delicious food for my family,'' Kurihara said. ``That's where it all starts.''

She is now poised to apply that motto overseas, and, as ever, remains optimistic.

``I have a feeling that there are going to be some dramatic developments for me in my 60s,'' she said.

Kurihara recently enrolled in a full-immersion English-language program in Canada for her next big project: teaching cooking classes in English.(IHT/Asahi: February 9,2005)