At 108 years old, Shitsui Hakoishi has officially been recognized as the world’s oldest female barber by Guinness World Records.
Her impressive title as the world’s oldest female barber has also been confirmed by LongeviQuest, further cementing her legacy in the industry. But for this remarkable woman from Nakagawa, Japan, age is just a number—she still picks up her scissors to serve loyal clients, nearly nine decades after earning her barber’s license in 1936.
Born in 1916 into a farming family, Shitsui Hakoishi showed determination from a young age. At just 14, she left her rural home to train as a barber in Tokyo, practicing her techniques late at night while others relaxed. By 18, she had passed her certification exam, and by 20, she was a fully licensed barber. In 1939, she and her husband, Jiro, opened their own salon—only for war to tear their lives apart. Jiro was drafted and never returned, and their business was destroyed in an air raid.
Undeterred, Hakoishi rebuilt her life. In 1953, she opened Rihatsu Hakoishi, a one-chair barber shop in Nakagawa, where she has worked ever since. Even now, despite knee pain, she continues to cut hair for a handful of loyal customers. What’s her secret to longevity? A disciplined lifestyle, daily exercise (a habit since she turned 70), and a philosophy passed down from her mother: “Never hold a grudge, never be jealous, and never fight with others.” In 2021, she was even selected as an Olympic torchbearer in Tokyo.
“Life has been full of hardships, but I am truly happy,” says Hakoishi. “Some people travel from far away just to see me, so I want to keep going for as long as I can.”
At 108, she’s not just cutting hair—she’s cutting through the limits of age itself.
Credits opening image: Instagram @longeviquest