BIOGRAPHY

Kiyoshi Igarashi was born in Mikasa, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan, on 2 August 1897. At some point, he married and had six children. In 1921, at the age of 23, he opened a watch shop in Takinoue and continued to repair watches, which required detailed work, until he was about 90 years old.

After turning 80, he began studying pottery and painting and developed a wide range of hobbies. At the age of 106, he was living with his family in Oyachi, Sapporo, and attending a daycare center twice a week. By the age of 108, he was living in a nursing home in Takinoue but said, “I have enough energy to say that I still have a lot of life ahead of me.” He maintained a straight back, could walk without a cane, and strengthened his legs with squats.

The secret to his longevity was always smiling, singing, and playing Go, a game he had been playing since he was 20 years old. When he was 110, he enjoyed a game of Go with his 10-year-old great-grandson, who was 100 years younger than him. He also enlivened seasonal events at the nursing home with karaoke.

At the age of 111, his knees had deteriorated, and he had to use a wheelchair to get around, but he continued to read newspapers and magazines and showed no decline in energy. In November 2008, he lost his appetite and was hospitalized.

Kiyoshi Igarashi passed away in a hospital in Takinoue, Hokkaido Prefecture, surrounded by his family, on 23 February 2009, at the age of 111 years, 205 days.

RECOGNITION

On 13 October 2007, following the passing of Giichi Okumura, he became the oldest living man in Hokkaido Prefecture. Upon his passing, he was succeeded by Tanekichi Ōnishi.

On 28 July 2008, at the age of 110 years, 361 days, he surpassed Okumura’s final age, becoming the oldest man to have ever lived in Hokkaido Prefecture. He held the title until 9 September 2011, when Ōnishi surpassed his final age.

His age was verified by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW), and validated by the Gerontology Research Group on 22 November 2007. The validation was later recognized by LongeviQuest.

ATTRIBUTION

* “「王将」得意な人気者＊道内最高齢五十嵐さん死去＊悲しむ施設職員ら＊滝上” – Hokkaido Shimbun, 24 February 2009

* “長寿　秘訣は歌心＊道内１００歳以上１５７０人＊最高齢１１１歳＊滝上の五十嵐さん　囲碁も有段” – Hokkaido Shimbun, 12 September 2008

GALLERY