The World's Oldest Active Barber is a 108-Year-Old Grandmother... "I Want to Hold Scissors for Just One More Year" [Japanese Perspective]

Mr. Shitsui Hakoishi, Born in 1916
Lost Husband in War, Opened Beauty Salon Alone
Still Serving Customers and Continuing Livelihood
Morning Exercises and Walking for Torch Relay

"You shouldn't think too much. Don't worry about unnecessary things."

Recently in Japan, a 108-year-old grandmother, the oldest barber in the world, has gained attention by publishing a book. She still runs a barbershop and works actively, and revealed that the secret to her longevity is "not being conscious of age and not having unnecessary thoughts," which became a hot topic. Today, we share the story of Shitsui Hakoishi, the world's oldest barber grandmother, who turns 108 on November 10.

Mr. Shitsui Hakoishi is cutting a customer's hair. Photo by TBS

Ms. Hakoishi was born in 1916 in Tochigi Prefecture. At 14, she moved to Tokyo, worked in a beauty salon, and obtained her certification. At 22, she got married and opened a barbershop with her husband in Shinjuku. They had two children and seemed to live well. She even had apprentices who came to learn the craft, and since both worked, they hired a housekeeper, living comfortably. Two years after opening, the Japanese military started the Pacific War. Her husband, Jiro, was drafted and enlisted just three days after receiving his orders. Leaving the children behind, he went to the battlefield. Later, due to the poor situation in Tokyo, she temporarily evacuated to her hometown Tochigi. During this time, the Tokyo air raids destroyed both their barbershop and home.

Japan was defeated in the war. Although the war ended, there was no news about her husband. It seemed he had gone to Manchuria, but his fate was unknown, and she just waited for him to come home. It was only eight years after the defeat that she heard the news that her husband had died in battle. They never found his body, so they only had a memorial tablet without any remains. The barbershop that supported their livelihood had burned down, and with her husband gone, she felt hopeless about how to live with her two children alone. She even thought about ending their lives together, saying "Let's go to Dad." However, a cousin who came upon hearing the news stopped her, saying "Your husband wouldn't want to see you like this," which made her resolve to live again.

Hakoishi-shi is looking at a photo of her late husband. TBS

Afterward, she reopened a barbershop in her hometown and continued working. Every night before going to sleep, she greeted her husband's photo saying, "Today ended well. Thank you," and in the morning, she just went on with her work. Continuing this livelihood for 70 years, she reached 108 years old.

In a media interview, she said, "Because there were many hardships, I lived without thinking much," and added, "So I don't think. I don't worry about unnecessary things. That is important."

Even now, she continues to cut the hair of 4 to 5 regular customers a month. Ms. Hakoishi said, "People ask me why I keep working. The reason is simple. As long as I am alive, I have to eat and live, so I just keep working." Among her regulars, there are people who have entrusted their hair to her since they were babies.

Hakoishi-shi is running as a torch relay runner. TBS

Especially, people ask about the secret to her longevity and health, as she works without a bent back or pain in her waist or knees. During the Tokyo Olympics, she even made headlines by running as a torchbearer. Her daily routine includes morning exercises and walking 1,000 steps. She also wears weights of 1.5 kg on each leg, totaling 3 kg, and lifts and lowers her legs to a horizontal position with the floor 500 to 1,000 times every day. She even published a book containing these details.

Last year, she was recognized as the world's oldest active barber, and her goal is "to keep holding scissors and working until 109." Besides working as an active barber, she also participates in anti-war interviews in Japan due to her difficult experience of losing her husband in the war. We hope she stays healthy and spirited until her retirement goal age of 109.