24 NOVEMBER 1967, Page 39

Pillow Book

Sir: Your statement (17 November) that The Pillow Book of Sd Shonagon is almost unknown in the West would not bear investigation. Arthur, Waley's brilliant translation, originally published* in 1928, has had a wide circulation, particularly since it was made available some years ago in a paperback edition at 4s 6d.

Stanley Unwin Chairman, George Allen and Unwin Ltd, 40 Museum Street, London WC1

No disrespect was intended to Arthur Waley's version, or to his publisher, in our simple state- ment of fact.—Editor, SPECTATOR.