BIOGRAPHY

Kie Taki was born in Akita Prefecture, Japan, on 2 January 1904

Around 1997, she moved from Akita Prefecture to Toyama Prefecture. She was a devout Christian who attended church every Sunday to sing hymns with her fellow worshippers. She was described as someone with a remarkable memory, having memorized over fifty hymns by heart. Her daily routine included three prayers: one in the morning for the safety of her family, another before lunch to express gratitude for the upcoming meal, and a final one before bed to pray for the safety of those in her church and her home prefecture of Akita. In 2006, at the age of 102, NHK Banzai, a series celebrating the achievements of Japanese centenarians, reported that Taki had possessed the same Bible for fifteen years. Her well-read Bible, marked with red pen notations, served as a record of passages that deeply moved her or words she wished to remember each day without fail. Taki’s daily diet typically consisted of bread paired with servings of honey or blueberry jam for breakfast, and rice accompanied by pickled dried plums, sugar, or vinegar for both lunch and supper. Complementing these meals were side dishes of fresh vegetables, fried fish, and miso soup.

In 2004, she received a special visit from the mayor at her home to celebrate her 100th birthday, during which she was presented with celebratory gifts. When congratulated on her achievement, she responded, “I was sickly when I was young, so even I’m surprised I lived to be 100.” Her gifts included a 28-inch TV, fulfilling her previous year’s wish to watch the Köhaku Uta Gassen, an annual singing contest between famous singers held on New Year’s Eve. Additionally, she received a congratulatory letter from the Toyama Prefecture governor. When asked about the secret to her long life, she answered, “Reading the newspaper, speaking to the trees in my garden, and living an untroubled life.”

Kie Taki passed away in Imizu City, Toyama Prefecture, Japan, on 16 August 2015.

RECOGNITION

On 25 January 2015, following the death of 111-year-old Sue Hirano, she became the oldest living person in Toyama Prefecture.

Following her passing, she was succeeded as the Prefecture’s oldest living resident by Tsuya Hayashi.

ATTRIBUTION

* “全国高齢者名簿” (2003 edition)

* “滝さんの100歳祝う　下村の竹内村長が慰問” – Hokkoku Shimbun (morning edition), 7 January 2004

* “にっぽん百歳ファイル 讃美歌に祈りをこめて　富山・瀧キヱさん” – NHK Hiroshima Broadcasting Station, 29 July 2006

GALLERY