Tag: Osaka

LongeviQuest is pleased to announce the age validation of Kotoe Nishikawa of Japan at age 110. She was born in Tamba-Sasayama, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan on 28 October 1913. Nishikawa had four older brothers. During her youth, she was known for her energetic spirit, which set her apart from other girls. At some point during her teenage years, she traveled to Tokyo to pursue a career as an assistant nurse.

At 24, Nishikawa got married and quit her job as a nurse to move to Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture. During the tough times of World War II, she had to rush to a nearby shelter to protect herself and her five children, from infants to seven years old, whenever the air raid siren sounded. Although they survived the war’s hardships, their home was destroyed in the Osaka Air Raid. After the war, Nishikawa and her family moved to Sakai City, where she gave birth to her youngest child at the age of 36.

As Nishikawa’s children grew and grandchildren were born, her focus shifted to caring for her grandchildren. In her late 70s, she looked after around 15 grandchildren. Her family explained that her upbringing as a nurse’s assistant before marriage and her unwavering dedication had a profound impact on her, leading her to care for sick relatives as well. In her 80s, she fractured her right femur, necessitating the use of daycare services. At 90, she broke her left femur and moved into a nursing home. Despite having bolts placed in both femurs, she maintained her independence until she was nearly 100 years old. She was an avid reader of kanji, able to decipher even the most challenging ones that most people struggle with.

On 31 October 2022, following the death of 114-year-old Kimiko Ono, she became the oldest living person in Sakai City (although registered as a resident of the city, she was living in a special nursing home in Osaka City).

On her 110th birthday. (Source: Courtesy of the family)
On her 110th birthday.
(Source: Courtesy of the family)

At the age of 110, she eats three full meals a day and is doing well. Her family praised her as “a person who is devoted to others.” Her mother lived to be around 95 years old, and her siblings lived to be over 80 years old. Five of her six children are still alive as of November 2023.

For more information, please view Kotoe Nishikawa’s Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is pleased to confirm that Tomiko Itooka [Japanese: 糸岡富子] recently celebrated her birthday on 23 May 2023 at the age of 115 years old. Mrs. Itooka is the world’s fourth oldest validated living person (behind María Branyas Morera, Fusa Tatsumi, and Edie Ceccarelli), the second oldest validated living person in Japan (behind the Fusa Tatsumi), and the oldest known living person in Hyogo Prefecture.

 

Tomiko Itooka’s 115th Birthday

Congratulatory flowers and message from LongeviQuest (Source: chikusakai.jp)
Congratulatory flowers sent by her grandson (Source: chikusakai.jp)

She celebrated her 115th Birthday in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan in the company of her family and friends. LongeviQuest had sent her congratulatory flowers alongside different messages and greetings from various people around the world who wishes her well. She was also visited by the Mayor of Ashiya to celebrate with her and provide his message.

From left to right: Mrs. Itooka's son, Tomiko Itooka, and the Mayor of Ashiya (Source: chikusakai.jp)
From left to right: Mrs. Itooka’s son, Tomiko Itooka, and the Mayor of Ashiya (Source: chikusakai.jp)

 

Tomiko Itooka’s Biography

Mrs. Itooka was born in Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan on 23 May 1908 as the second (eldest daughter) of three siblings. In 1928, she got married to her husband who ran a textile factory in South Korea. They had two daughters and two sons. During World War II, she took over the textile factory, protected a Japanese office, and raised her children by herself.

After her husband died in 1979, she lived alone in her husband’s hometown of Nara Prefecture for about 10 years. During that period, she frequently enjoyed climbing Mt. Nijo, which straddles Nara and Osaka prefectures. She also climbed Mt. Ontake (elevation 3000m), which straddles Nagano and Gifu prefectures, twice. The guide was surprised when she climbed the mountain because she wore ordinary sneakers instead of hiking shoes.

When she was in her 80s, she also participated in the Osaka 33 Kannon Pilgrimage (33 temple pilgrimages) twice. At 100 years old, she climbed the long stone steps of Ashiya Shrine without a cane and worshiped. She often visited the Yakushiji Temple in Nara Prefecture and enjoyed writing sutras.

For more information, please view Tomiko Itooka’s Directory Profile here.