BIOGRAPHY

Ogawara was born in Japan on 2 August 1901. In her later years, she enjoyed making decorative temari (lit. ‘hand ball’), a hobby she started at the age of 80 and still actively engaged in as a supercentenarian.

At some point, Ogawara entered a nursing home for the elderly in Sanjō City, Niigata Prefecture. According to the staff, she was highly independent, taking care of herself as much as possible, and took pride in her appearance, making particular effort to look her best for special occasions, even at the age of 111. She applied lotion to her face every morning and was reported to have vibrant skin.

In September 2011, at the age of 110, Ogawara was visited by the city mayor in celebration of Respect for the Aged Day. The mayor was astonished by her ability to converse normally at her remarkably old age. Her generous spirit shone through when she gave him several of her hand-crafted temari.

Ogawara passed away in Sanjō City, Niigata Prefecture, Japan on 2 April 2013 at the age of 111 years, 243 days.

RECOGNITION

When Ogawara was 103 years old, she became the oldest living person in Sanjō City. Seven years later, in October 2011, she became Niigata Prefecture’s oldest resident.

Ogawara’s age was verified by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW), and was validated by the GRG on 17 January 2012.

ATTRIBUTION

• Mayor Sanjo diary, September 20, 2011
• 県内最高齢の小川原さん死去＝新潟 – Yomiuri Shimbun April 6, 2013

GALLERY