BIOGRAPHY

Ura Koyama was born in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, on 30 August 1890. At some point, she married and raised three children. She lived in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture until she was about 80 years old, then moved to Iizuka, Fukuoka Prefecture.

Koyama was described as one who had a cheerful personality, loved to talk, and enjoyed a wide range of hobbies, including Noh chanting, shamisen, tea ceremony, and paper-cutting art. From about the age of 94, she began copying Buddhist scriptures in the morning as a memorial for her ancestors and continued to do so until she was 110 years old.

Even after she turned 100, she had the vitality to do the cooking and laundry, support her working family, and take care of her great-grandchildren. She also read the newspaper every day, saying it was for brain training, and kept up with current social topics. She continued to brush her teeth with salt five times a day, and even at the age of 104, she still had no cavities and her own teeth, and she could chew and eat hard rice crackers and octopus sashimi.

From the age of 111, she was in and out of the hospital due to a chronic heart condition, and her legs became weak, but she enjoyed walking around the hospital in a wheelchair. At the age of 114, she was able to communicate by reading written messages. Her favorite food was Japanese sweets, and in the summer, she enjoyed kuzu manju and warabi mochi.

Koyama passed away from pneumonia in the hospital on 5 April 2005, at the age of 114 years, 218 days. At the time of her death, her second daughter and eldest son (89) were still alive.

RECOGNITION

On 25 May 2002, at the age of 111 years, 268 days, she surpassed the final age of Masaki Moriyama, becoming the oldest woman to have ever lived in Fukuoka Prefecture.

On 28 September 2003, following the passing of 114-year-old Yukichi Chuganji, she became the oldest living person in Fukuoka Prefecture.

On 13 November 2003, following the passing of 114-year-old Mitoyo Kawate, she became the oldest living person in Japan, at the age of 113 years, 75 days.

On 8 March 2005, at the age of 114 years, 190 days, she surpassed Chuganji’s final age, becoming the oldest person to have ever lived in Fukuoka Prefecture.

ATTRIBUTION

GALLERY