Matsu Nakazato

BIOGRAPHY

Nakazato was born as Matsu Shinjo in Tana, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, on 3 February 1882 as the youngest of five children. She had one brother and three sisters. She never attended school, instead working in agriculture and housekeeping.

At the age of 17, Nakazato received hajichi, a traditional Okinawan tattooing ritual performed on the backs of women’s hands as a coming-of-age ceremony. This practice symbolised maturity and readiness for adult responsibilities, but was banned in 1899 (Meiji 32), making her part of one of the last generations to undergo this significant cultural tradition.

In 1902, aged 20, Nakazato married her husband Kamejiro, one year her junior. The couple worked as farmers and had no biological children, which Nakazato claimed was due to infertility on her husband’s side. In their early 60s, they adopted their nephew, Shosei, following his return from the South Pacific in World War II.

Nakazato was widowed in 1955 when her husband died aged 72, following an illness of the stomach. She prided herself in taking care of her grandchildren. However, signs of cognitive impairment began to appear during her nonagenarian years.

Nakazato was a heavy smoker until she was 70, reportedly smoking 20 cigarettes daily. She also enjoyed sweets, and from her sixties onwards, enjoyed the occasional small amount of awamori, Okinawan rice wine. At 102 years old, she developed asthma and was diagnosed with aortic stenosis at Nago Hospital,

On 1 June 1984, Nakazato moved into Hokuto En Nursing Home where she lived for the rest of her life. She was affectionately nicknamed “Macchii” by those around her. At the age of 105, she suffered a leg fracture; subsequently, she used a wheelchair. Despite this, she continued to enjoy Okinawan folk songs and would enthusiastically participate in kachaashii dancing.

On 29 July 1993, Nakazato’s health suddenly deteriorated, and she was hospitalised. She passed away on 3 August 1993 in Kunigami, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, at the age of 111 years, 181 days.

RECOGNITION

Nakazato’s age was validated by the Gerontology Research Group on 14 May 2011. She is also recognised by LongeviQuest as truly achieving the age of 111.

ATTRIBUTION

• Aging and Age-related Diseases: The Basics
•  “沖縄の成女儀礼 : 沖縄本島針突調査報告書” – Yomitan Village History and Folklore Museum, March 1982
• “長寿全国３位の仲里マツさんが死去” – Mainichi Shimbun, 5 August 1993

GALLERY

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