At 113, Masu Usui (臼井ます) Can Sing the British National Anthem, But “Loves Japan Most”

On August 7, 2024, representatives from LongeviQuest visited the nursing home of Masu Usui (臼井ます), the 16th-oldest living person in the world. They presented her with a plaque recognizing her as the oldest resident of Shizuoka Prefecture, along with a bouquet of flowers. As of today, she is the sixth-oldest person in Japan.

The LongeviQuest representatives were eager to meet Mrs. Usui, who was known for her ability to sing the British national anthem. As they entered the reception room, they overheard her asking, “I’m not wearing any makeup, is that okay?” Moments later, she entered the room, singing the British anthem. Mrs. Usui was aware that the British monarch had recently changed from a queen to a king, and she recalled her many trips to England with her husband. Despite having traveled to the United States and several other countries, she expressed, “I love my home country, Japan, the most.”

 

When her family showed her a wedding photo with her late husband, Mrs. Usui spoke of their time together, recalling him as a very intelligent man. Skilled with her hands, she continued making kimonos and clothing for her husband, herself, and her family well into her 70s. She shared how she had always enjoyed creating things on her own, from preparing osechi dishes during the New Year holidays to developing her own unique flavors for dishes like yokan and konbumaki, all through self-taught methods. In a firm tone, she said, “I’ve always liked doing things myself,” reflecting her independent yet composed nature.

She believes that the water from her hometown, Oyama Town, Shizuoka Prefecture, where she has lived for many years (melted snow from Mt. Fuji), is very good for her health.

In her later years, Mrs. Usui pursued many hobbies. She recalled her talent for Japanese dance and playing the shamisen, as well as her morning routine of checking stock prices in the newspaper, reflecting her enduring passion for stock investment.

 

When the representatives asked her what advice she would give to the younger generation, she replied, “I don’t have any.” However, she did share her belief that “it’s important to do everything yourself.” This mindset, she explained, was the key to her longevity, enabling her to live an almost independent life until about 105 and to continue enjoying life at 113.

Her enthusiasm remains strong to this day. She expressed a desire to visit Kōjimachi in Tokyo to see the monument dedicated to Rentarō Taki‘s poem, “Kōjō no Tsuki” (The Moon over the Ruined Castle), and then hummed the song.

After meeting her, LongeviQuest representatives Ben Meyers and Yumi Yamamoto (山本優美) commented, “It was an honor to meet Masu-san, who is a living emblem of vigor and independence. She is a woman with her own agenda. The memories and advice she shared sometimes surprised even her family members who know her the best. At 113, Masu-san still seems to live by the mantra of carpe diem, seizing the day.”

 

© LongeviQuest