BIOGRAPHY

Kamado Tsuha was born in Japan on 10 June 1908. At some point, he got married and had six children. During World War II, he was called up for military service with the Okinawa Defense Force. He narrowly escaped conscription when it was delayed because his wife was pregnant with their daughter. On another occasion, he narrowly escaped death when a hand grenade landed right in front of him. Following the end of the war, he found employment as a painter at the Kadena Air Base, an American military base, where he worked for over 60 years. It is speculated that walking the long distance to the base on foot every day contributed to his longevity.

Tsuha enjoyed farming, and even past the age of 100, he continued to cultivate his own produce as a hobby. As of 2016, he had 6 children, 16 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren. In 2016, at the age of 107, he attended a joint birthday celebration event held in Yomitan, Okinawa Prefecture. He was in good health, raising his glass with a kanpai (cheers) before drinking his tea and smiling. He was very active at this time and went out for day service five times a week. His daily routine was one of structure and discipline. At the age of 107, he would wake up at 8 am, go to the toilet, and brush his teeth without assistance before heading out for day service at 9 am. On other mornings, he would do gymnastics and have a nap after lunch before enjoying yuntaku, which means “chatting with friends” in the Okinawan dialect. After coming home in the evening, he would spend quality time with his family over supper before going to bed at 8 pm. In 2017, sometime around the age of 107, he entered a nursing home for the elderly.

At the age of 110, despite being hard of hearing and almost completely blind due to cataracts, he was otherwise in good health and good spirits. He could still use chopsticks unassisted and walk with assistance. He enjoyed singing, and his voice could often be heard echoing through the halls of his nursing home, sometimes even audible from the lower floors. He reportedly created songs about his blindness, finding humor and positivity in a condition that many would lament. He had a hearty appetite. He particularly enjoyed miso soup with boiled pigs’ feet, boneless pork ribs with tempura, sata andagi (an Okinawan sweet deep-fried bun similar to a doughnut), and meat, but he disliked vegetables. He didn’t smoke tobacco or drink alcohol.

Tsuha, known for his cheeky sense of humor and being a mood maker, once, at the age of 107, was asked what else he wanted to do in life. After a moment’s pause, he exclaimed, “Nothing!” causing everyone present to erupt in laughter. After another short pause, he added, “I want to stay healthy and live long.” Loved by his fellow residents at the nursing home, one commented, “He’s so entertaining, I adore him,” and another said, “He worries about his children every day. He’s very intelligent.” His daughter, reflecting on life with her father after the end of World War II, said, “It was a difficult time for us, but I’m happy we were all together. My dad is kind to everybody. He’s first-class.”

In April 2019, at the age of 111, he received a health check-up at his nursing home from Yoshio Tanaka, a 101-year-old doctor from Okinawa. Tanaka had learned about Tsuha after reading about him in an earlier news article by the Okinawa Times that reported his status as the oldest man in the prefecture. After measuring his vitals, Tanaka determined that Tsuha had no heart or lung abnormalities. Speculating on the secret to Tsuha’s longevity after examining his diet and lifestyle habits, Tanaka commented that Tsuha’s love for talking to loved ones might be the key. Inspired, the doctor exclaimed, “You’re the picture of health. 110 will just be a checkpoint for you. I want to follow your example—I’ll still be a practicing doctor when I’m 120!” On a separate occasion in April 2019, Tsuha was visited by players from the Okinawan soccer team Ryukyu FC, who gave him a club uniform that he wore for the visit. He was reportedly in good health and enjoyed the visit. In June 2019, he was visited by the mayor of Yomitan at his nursing home in celebration of his 111th birthday. His condition deteriorated in mid-July, and he was placed on an IV drip. Despite his ailing health, he would reportedly still smile when spoken to.

Kamado Tsuha passed away at his nursing home in Yomitan, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, on 15 August 2019, at the age of 111 years, 66 days.

RECOGNITION

On 7 August 2016, following the death of 111-year-old Choki Miyagi, he became the oldest living man in Okinawa Prefecture.

In September 2018, he was reported as the 8th-oldest living person in Okinawa Prefecture.

On 7 July 2019, following the death of 112-year-old Yoshikazu Yamashita, he became the second-oldest living man in Japan, only behind Chitetsu Watanabe.

Upon his passing, he was succeeded as the Prefecture’s oldest living man by Kotaro Akamine, and as the second-oldest living man in Japan by Issaku Tomoe.

ATTRIBUTION

* “沖縄健康長寿ダイエットプログラムー長寿の知恵にふれる旅, 沖縄男性最高齢108歳津波蒲戸さん” – National University Corporation Ryukyu University

* “踊る110歳、誕生日に「ハッハッハッ」　沖縄の男性最高齢、4つの時代生きる” – Okinawa Times, 12 June 2018

* “111歳の津波蒲戸さん死去　沖縄県男性の最高齢　激戦生き延び戦後は米軍基地に勤務” – Ryukyu Shimpo, 18 August 2019

GALLERY