TOKYO, 7 March 2025 (BSS/AFP) – A 108-year-old Japanese woman has been officially recognised as the world’s oldest barber by Guinness World Records. Despite her age, she remains committed to her profession and has expressed her determination to continue working until at least 110.
Shitsui Hakoishi, born in 1916, first pursued barbering at the age of 14 when a friend’s mother offered her the opportunity to become an apprentice at a hair salon in Tokyo. More than nine decades later, she still holds her own scissors and actively participates in her craft.
A special ceremony was held this week in Nakagawa, a town in the eastern Tochigi region, to honour her remarkable achievement. The event was attended by her two children—her 85-year-old daughter and her 81-year-old son. “I’m very happy. My heart is full,” Hakoishi said during the celebration.
Guinness World Records confirmed that the category of oldest barber is divided into male and female distinctions. The previous record-holder for men, Anthony Mancinelli, worked in New York until the age of 107 before passing away.
Hakoishi married in her early twenties and opened a salon with her husband. However, their lives were upended when he was conscripted during the Second World War and tragically never returned. Her salon, which also served as her family home, was destroyed in the US military bombings of Tokyo. Fortunately, she and her children survived as they had evacuated to her hometown of Nakagawa.
Determined to rebuild her life, she established a new salon in Nakagawa several years after the war. To this day, she continues to work there, with longtime customers still calling to book appointments. Though she now resides in a care home, she remains independent and continues to care for herself.
In 2021, Hakoishi was selected as a Tokyo Olympics torchbearer, successfully walking around 200 metres as part of the relay, according to regional broadcaster Tochigi TV.
Looking ahead, she remains steadfast in her commitment to her profession. As she turns 109 this year, she has set herself the goal of continuing to “work hard until 110.”
Context & Background:
Japan has one of the highest life expectancies in the world, with many elderly citizens remaining active well into their later years. The country is home to a significant number of centenarians, with many attributing their longevity to a healthy diet, strong community ties, and a sense of purpose. Hakoishi’s story is a testament to the Japanese philosophy of ikigai—the idea that having a purpose in life contributes to both happiness and longevity.