Kiyo Itō (伊藤キヨ), a resident of Kushiro, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan, passed away on 24 July, at the age of 113 years, 258 days. Her passing was first reported in an obituary in the Hokkaido Shimbun (北海道新聞) on 28 July.
Kiyo Ito was born in Akkeshi, Hokkaido Prefecture, on 8 November 1911. She spent her life in Hokkaido and was widely respected as a master of shigin, a traditional form of Japanese poetry recitation. For many years, she taught shigin and participated in competitions. She was also highly skilled in sashiko, a traditional Japanese embroidery technique, which she continued practicing into her 90s.
While living at home, she maintained a disciplined and healthy lifestyle, following a consistent daily routine and eating light, home-cooked Japanese meals. She stayed active with daily walks and continued practicing shigin, and was known for making and sharing her homemade pickled radish.
Following Tane Matsubara’s passing on 16 January 2024, Itō became the oldest living person in Hokkaido Prefecture. At the time of her passing, she was the nation’s third-oldest living resident, after Miyoko Hiroyasu and Shigeko Kagawa.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Kiyo Itō during this difficult time.
