BIOGRAPHY

Ine Uda was born in Japan on 8 October 1904. Over the course of her life, she married, had children, and worked diligently as a farmer. She developed a passion for origami and calligraphy, and continued to pursue these creative interests well into her later years, even after turning 100.

At the age of 103, she collaborated with other day service members to create origami works that were displayed in a gallery at Komatsu Station. At 107, she submitted a calligraphy piece to an exhibition organized by the local senior citizens’ club. Even at 109, Uda remained active, crafting paper art and knitting using newspaper flyers. She lovingly made handmade hats for the children of the nursing home staff. She also enjoyed participating in monthly visits from a taiko drumming group, where she eagerly conducted and occasionally played the drums herself.

Uda led a healthy life, maintaining a balanced diet without being picky and rarely needing medication. She attributed her longevity to the physical strength she developed from working alongside men in the fields during her youth. She also believed that her long life was due to the love and support she received from those around her.

Ine Uda passed away on 23 August 2015, in Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture.

RECOGNITION

By October 2014, when she celebrated her 110th birthday, she had become the second-oldest person in Ishikawa Prefecture, only after Iso Nakamura.

Her age was verified by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW), as well as Ryohei Asano, and validated by LongeviQuest on 15 September 2024.

ATTRIBUTION

* “長寿に喜び感じ　小松・109歳宇田さん” – Hokkoku Shimbun, 15 September 2014

* “小松市　宇田いね（うだ・いね）さん” – Hokkoku Shimbun, 24 August 2015

GALLERY