BIOGRAPHY

Oiku Hashimoto was born in Japan, on 25 June 1914. From an early age, she developed a passion for hand knitting, creating cardigans, vests, and various small items from yarn. Over the decades, she completed countless pieces, generously gifting them to family, relatives, and neighbors. Remarkably, even after turning 100, she continued to complete a cardigan in about ten days, saying that if she spent even half a day doing nothing, she would feel restless and start knitting again.

In 2014, upon turning 100, she held her first solo exhibition at a local community center, showcasing around 40 of her latest creations. “I’ve always knitted just for fun, so I never imagined holding an exhibition,” she said, expressing both surprise and joy.

Hashimoto attributed her longevity and good health to staying free from illness and remaining physically active. Well into her 90s, she would ride a bicycle to buy yarn, and until around the age of 104, she regularly played ground golf twice a week and tended her garden.

She also had her own unique preferences — favoring grilled meat over fish and enjoying two cups of coffee a day rather than traditional Japanese tea. Even at the age of 108, she maintained a cheerful disposition, enjoyed daily conversations with her son, and had a fondness for meat dishes, especially yakitori. She remained able to bathe independently and spent her days at a relaxed, comfortable pace.

RECOGNITION

Since 2021, she has been recognized as the oldest living person in Ōra Town, Gunma Prefecture.

Following the passing of 110-year-old Kiyomi Katō of Maebashi on 5 March 2025, Hashimoto became the oldest living person in Gunma Prefecture.

Her age was verified by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW), as well as Ryohei Asano and Yumi Yamamoto, and validated by LongeviQuest on 23 April 2025.

ATTRIBUTION

* “家族に支えられて100回目の誕生日” – Ōra Town Newsletter, August 2014

* “個展：100歳が初　趣味続け、毛糸で手編み –邑楽/群馬” – Mainichi Shimbun, 21 December 2014

* “町内最高齢　108歳　橋本オイクさん” – Ōra Town Welfare Council Newsletter, September 2022

GALLERY