Sachiko Kimura (木村幸子), the oldest resident of Odawara in Kanagawa Prefecture and known by her stage name Kyōsen Kineya (杵屋響泉), turned 111 years old on 15 November 2025. She is also a Guinness World Records holder as the oldest woman to release a debut album.
Ahead of her birthday, on 10 November, the Mayor of Odawara visited her and presented her with a commemorative gift. Reports noted that many of her family members and long-time students gathered on that day, creating a warm setting for the occasion.
At 111, Kimura continues to eat on her own and enjoys conversation. She becomes especially engaged when talking about shamisen and nagauta, the traditional arts she has devoted her life to.
Kimura’s dedication to nagauta has earned her numerous honors, including the Odawara Civic Meritorious Service Award, recognition as a holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, and the Kanagawa Cultural Award. Her achievement of releasing a debut album at 104 years and 160 days was recorded on 24 April 2019, and the record received official recognition from Guinness World Records in the spring of 2025. She continues to hold the title today.
LongeviQuest extends warm congratulations to Sachiko Kimura on her 111th birthday.
Kyosen Kineya (legal name: Sachiko Kimura) receiving congratulations from the Mayor of Odawara on 10 November 2025.
Biography
Sachiko Kimura (木村幸子) was born Ishihara Sachiko on 15 November 1914 in Tsukiji, Tokyo. She grew up in a family closely connected to nagauta and began training in shamisen and singing at a young age. After her father’s death, she continued her training under her mother, who was also an experienced performer.
Because of her asthma, her family moved to Odawara in 1923, where they later settled permanently. She adopted her stage name Kyōsen Kineya (杵屋響泉), which was derived from her late father’s final professional name, as a way of honoring his legacy.
Kimura began teaching students at age 14 and eventually instructed more than 300 pupils. She remained active well into her 100s and even released a CD at age 104. Her dedication to preserving nagauta continues through her daughter and granddaughter.
Even after turning 105, she maintained a regular daily routine. She spent her mornings reading the newspaper and watching sumo or sports programs on television, and on days when she taught, she sat in seiza for several hours while carefully instructing her students. She usually had lunch in the afternoon, dinner around 6:30 p.m., took a bath in the evening, and recited the Heart Sutra before going to bed around midnight.
She attributed her longevity to maintaining good posture, singing and playing shamisen daily, and keeping a steady daily rhythm.
She is currently the oldest resident of Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture.
