Eiju Tsuru

BIOGRAPHY

Eiju Tsuru was born on 4 February 1879, in Shimonagata, Setaka Town, Yanagawa County, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. He served in the Russo-Japanese War at the age of 23 and later returned to his hometown, where he worked as a farmer. At 26, he married Shige, who passed away in 1942 at the age of 59. Together, they had eight children—two sons and six daughters. By the end of his life, five of his children, 15 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren were still alive.

Tsuru worked in farming until his 90s. In 1984, when he was 105, he moved into the Misawa Long-Life Care Home in Ogori City, Fukuoka Prefecture. Throughout his life, he practiced early to bed and early to rise, avoided alcohol and tobacco, and maintained steady habits that likely contributed to his longevity.

In his final years, Tsuru’s meals consisted of soft rice and side dishes blended in a mixer, served in a large bowl three times a day. He rarely left any food uneaten, showing a strong appetite even in extreme old age.

After being recognized as Japan’s oldest living man, Tsuru was initially moved into a private room at the care home. However, he preferred spending time with others rather than being alone, so he later returned to a shared room.

In 1986, he became mostly bedridden but continued to take part in simple activities, such as beanbag games, and responded positively to interactions with others.

Eiju Tsuru passed away on 12 January 1990, at the age of 110 years and 341 days. At the time of his death, he was the oldest man in Japanese history and held this title until his record was surpassed by Gengan Tonaki. Tsuru was also the first Japanese man to reach the age of 110. Following his passing, the title of Japan’s oldest living man was taken over by Kiichi Fujiwara of Zushi City, Kanagawa Prefecture, who was born on December 17, 1880, and was 109 years old at the time.

RECOGNITION

His age was validated by the Gerontology Research Group.

ATTRIBUTION

＊”男性最高齢の鶴さん、胃腸が丈夫で心臓は70歳代” -Yomiuri Shimbun, 8 September 1987
＊”男性長寿日本一・鶴英寿さん” – Nishinippon Shimbun, 12 January 1990

GALLERY

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