BIOGRAPHY

Mutō was born in the village of Osade, currently part of the city of Koshu, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, on 14 December 1883. At some point, she got married and had 10 children.

In September 1992, at the age of 108, she received a special visit from the governor of Yamanashi Prefecture to celebrate Respect for the Aged Day. She was reported to be in good health during the visit, but she became bedridden the following year.

Mutō passed away in Yamanashi City, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, on 2 March 1995, at the age of 111 years, 78 days.

RECOGNITION

On 21 December 1989, following the death of 106-year-old Naka Kobayashi of Akeno village, Muto became the oldest living person in Yamanashi Prefecture.

In December 1993, she celebrated her 110th birthday, becoming the first (known) supercentenarian in Yamanashi Prefecture. Subsequently, she became the first person in the Prefecture to reach the age of 111.

Mutō remained the sole recorded supercentenarian in Yamanashi Prefecture for over 15 years following her passing. It was not until April 2010 that Masa Shimizu (1900–2011) became the second supercentenarian in the Prefecture. In January 2018, Natsu Kotsuka (1906–2018) surpassed Mutō’s final age, thereby becoming the new oldest person ever from Yamaguchi Prefecture.

ATTRIBUTION

* “100歳でも、まだまだ現役—1994「長寿番付」” – Mainichi Shimbun, September 9, 1994

* “110歳、山梨市の武藤さんは全国３位　長寿番付/山梨” – Asahi Shimbun, September 10, 1994

* “百一歳の武藤み祢さん死去/山梨” – Asahi Shimbun, March 3, 1995

* “全国高齢者名簿” (1998 edition)

GALLERY

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