Supercentenarian Profile

Natsu Kumakawa

Born:

1895-08-09

Not Available

Japan

Died:

2005-09-30

Imari, Saga Prefecture

Japan

✔ Age Certified by LongeviQuest

Natsu Kumakawa [Japanese: 熊川ナツ] was a Japanese supercentenarian who was the oldest living person in Saga Prefecture at the time of her death.

BIOGRAPHY

Natsu Kumakawa (熊川ナツ) was born in Japan on August 9, 1895. Before the war, her husband passed away at the age of 45, after which she devoted herself to farming and raised their only son on her own.

Until around the age of 108, she enjoyed her hobby of sewing every day, folded laundry, and was generally able to take care of her daily needs. At the age of 110, she was living in a household of eight people spanning five generations. Her descendants included four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren. Although she had poor eyesight and hearing and spent much of her time lying down, she ate the same meals as her family, preferred firm white rice, and enjoyed simmered dishes and pickles such as eggplant, pumpkin, and taro. Her favorite food was amegata, a type of traditional hard candy.

On August 30, 2005, following the death of 111-year-old Kaya Itō of Kashima City, Kumakawa became the oldest living person in Saga Prefecture. Exactly one month later, on September 30, 2005, she passed away of natural causes at the age of 110 years and 52 days. Upon her death, Shitsu Fuchikami of Kashima City succeeded her as the oldest living person in the prefecture.