BIOGRAPHY

Sumie Gomagano was born in Yamada (now Miyakonojō City), Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, on 15 April 1900. In 1924, around the age of 24, she got married. She and her husband had two children, and she managed a liquor store until she was 60. As of 2010, she had five grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and twenty great-great-grandchildren.

Gomagano began playing the shamisen, a traditional Japanese stringed instrument, sometime in her teens, and continued to play for the rest of her life, even giving performances at the age of 111. She enjoyed playing folk songs. In addition to her musical talents, she also loved to knit. Her hobbies indicate she possessed both a strong sense of creativity and skillful dexterity in her hands.

In 2002, around the age of 102, Gomagano entered a nursing home for the elderly after breaking a bone. She was no stranger to the media and local dignitaries, receiving visits from the city mayor on three separate occasions in September 2009, 2010, and 2011, at the ages of 109, 110, and 111, in celebration of Respect for the Aged Day. She was awarded several gifts, including congratulatory money, letters, a feathered blanket she had requested, and ikebana (traditionally-arranged Japanese flowers). She was in good health on each occasion, accepting the gifts from the mayor by hand. During the first visit, she even gave the mayor something she’d knitted for him as a gift in return. After receiving her gifts, she gave performances on the shamisen, sang folk songs, and danced for her guests.

When asked about the secret to her longevity, Gomagano replied, “I don’t eat nice things, and I stop eating when I’m 80% full.” She demonstrated her determined spirit when she went on to say, “I want to live until I’m 122.” It was speculated that Gomagano’s bright, easy-going personality was also a contributing factor.

At the age of 109, she ate sweet potato and soft-boiled eggs—sent by her granddaughter who lived nearby—every day. She enjoyed drinking tea while engaging in conversation with staff at her nursing home, with whom she would chat after moving her wheelchair to the staff room by herself, even at the age of 110.

Sumie Gomagano passed away at the nursing home in Miyakonojō, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, on 21 November 2011, at the age of 111 years, 220 days.

Sumie Gomagano passed away at the nursing home in Miyakonojō, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, on 21 November 2011, at the age of 111 years, 220 days.

RECOGNITION

On 21 January 2010, following the passing of 111-year-old Koto Uemura, she became the oldest living person in Miyazaki Prefecture.

Upon her passing, Takeno Sakata succeeded her as the Prefecture’s oldest living resident.

Her age was verified by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), eventually validated by the Gerontology Research Group, and later recognized by LongeviQuest.

ATTRIBUTION

* “県内最高齢の111歳 胡摩ヶ野スミエさん” – Miyazaki Prefecture Miyakonojō City General Information Site

* “長寿110歳 県内最高齢の胡摩ヶ野さん” – JA Miyazaki Miyakonojō District Headquarters Newsletter “Mado” No. 424

GALLERY