BIOGRAPHY

Kamado Okuhara (奥原カマド) was born in Shuri-Sakiyama, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, on October 28, 1887. She did not receive formal schooling but married at the age of 35 in Shuri-Yamakawa. Her husband, a rickshaw and horse carriage driver, had a daughter from a previous marriage who died at the age of 23. Kamado herself had no children but came from a large family with many siblings.

During World War II, she evacuated to South Okinawa to escape the fiercest battles. After the war, she continued to live in the community, working not only as a homemaker but also as a “Usagiyaa”, a traditional Okinawan role meaning “a person who performs prayers on behalf of others.” She remained active in this role until the age of 81. When her husband passed away at 82 from lung cancer, she moved into the home of her nephew.

She was known from a young age for her bold and fearless personality, often described as “manly” in spirit. Despite becoming bedridden at the age of 92, she survived four life-threatening conditions with the encouragement and support of those around her. Kazuko, her nephew’s wife who cared for her (aged 66 at the time), said, “She had a strong heart ever since she was young, and I think her personality—never worrying about small things—contributed to her longevity.”

As of September 1998, Kamado Okuhara was officially recognized as the 8th oldest person in Japan (with doubts surrounding the age of Kamato Hongō, who was listed by the government as 7th), the 2nd oldest person in Okinawa Prefecture, and the oldest living person in Okinawa City. After the passing of Matsu Kayō on December 13, 1998, who died at the age of 112, Okuhara became the oldest living person in Okinawa Prefecture.

In her later years, Kamado suffered from dementia and had been hospitalized at Katsuren Hospital since the age of 89 due to her declining ability to care for herself. Despite these challenges, she lived with strength and grace. She also had a long smoking history, having smoked around ten cigarettes a day from the age of 60 to 91—something that, while surprising, seemed to have little impact on her vitality.

Kamado Okuhara passed away in Okinawa City, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, on January 10, 1999, at the age of 111. At the time of her death, she was the third-oldest living person in Japan, following Yasu Akino and Denzō Ishizaki.

RECOGNITION

Her age was validated by the Gerontology Research Group, and recognized by LongeviQuest.

ATTRIBUTION

＊ “ウチナーンチュは長生き印／小さな事は気にせずに／長寿番付／嘉陽マツさん（１１１）／奥原カマドさん（１０９）／金城マカトさん（１０９）” – Okinawa Times, September 9, 1997

＊ Aging and Age-related Diseases: The Basics

GALLERY