LongeviQuest is delighted to share that Chitose Awata has celebrated her 111th birthday. She is currently the oldest living person in Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan.
Chitose Awata was born on 20 August 1913 in Ogōri-cho, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan.
When she was around 20 years old, she got married to an agricultural extension instructor and had three children. Ten years into their marriage, her husband passed away and so she assumed control of his farming business. Recognizing her achievements, she was honored with the award for Best Wheat Producer in Yamaguchi Prefecture.
In her 70s, she would travel by bullet train to visit her daughter’s house in Tokyo regularly. During these visits, lasting two to three months, her sociable and cheerful nature led her to forge numerous friendships in Tokyo. Until around the age of 96, she lived with her eldest son and his wife, leading an independent life. Engaging in fieldwork, handling household chores like laundry, and pursuing a side job making kelp rolls, she remained active. At 96, she relocated to a care house (a housing complex for the elderly) in Yamaguchi City.
Japanese Supercentenarian Chitose Awata at 111
Awata attributes her health to the Japanese custom of kanpu masatsu (乾布摩擦), where one rubs a dry towel along the body to create warmth and friction. She practiced this with her father and brothers during her childhood, especially during the cold winter mornings, exercising her body by rubbing the skin of her back with a dry towel after washing her face with well water. As a result of this routine, she believes that she developed a strong body and was less susceptible to catching colds. She also attributes her longevity to her first name, which means “thousand years” in kanji. She expressed gratitude to her father for choosing such a meaningful name.
Chitose Awata currently resides in a welfare facility in Yamaguchi City.
LongeviQuest sends our warmest greetings for her 111th birthday celebration. Her longevity is an inspiration for all of us.
For more information, kindly visit her Directory Profile here.
