Shitsui Hakoishi, at the remarkable age of 108, has officially been recognized as the world’s oldest female barber by LongeviQuest.
Her salon, located in Tochigi Prefecture, is a three-hour drive from Tokyo, nestled among mountains.
Inside her small workspace, vintage items such as a pair of scissors from the pre-war period can still be found.
Born on November 10, 1916, in the midst of World War I, Shitsui decided at 14 to become a barber after her friend’s mother suggested it.
She moved to Tokyo alone to pursue an apprenticeship, later passing the barber examination at 18.
Shitsui became well-known for her skills, and in 1940, at the age of 24, she married Jiro and opened her own salon. However, tragedy struck when Jiro was conscripted into the army during the Second Sino-Japanese War and passed away.
Shitsui’s salon, which also served as her family home, was destroyed in the bombing of Tokyo, though she and her children had evacuated to Tochigi beforehand.
In 1953, Shitsui opened Rihatsu Hakoishi salon in Nakagawa-machi, where she continues to work today.
Despite spending most of her time in a care home, she remains independent and even continues to serve her loyal clients.
Shitsui credits her longevity to living by three guiding principles: never hold a grudge, never be jealous, and never fight with others—values passed down from her mother.
Achieving the Guinness World Records title was a goal she had long set for herself, and she is pleased to have now achieved it.