Age is just a number for Shitsui Hakoishi, a 108-year-old barber from Japan who has made history as the world’s oldest female barber. Here’s everything you need to know about her.
Guinness World Records recognised Shitsui Hakoishi as the oldest female barber in the world. She has dedicated an incredible 94 years to her craft. That’s not all, she’s still picking up her scissors and serving loyal clients with unwavering passion.
On March 5, Hakoishi received her well-earned recognition of the world’s oldest female barber at a special ceremony in Nakagawa, Tochigi Prefecture, where she continues to run her barbershop. Her journey began all the way back in 1931, when she left her hometown to train as an apprentice in a small Tokyo salon. By the age of 20, she had earned her barber’s license, setting the stage for a career spanning nearly a century.
A story of resilience and dedication
Hakoishi’s life hasn’t been without challenges. In 1939, she and her husband opened their own barbershop in Tokyo, but tragedy struck during World War II. She lost her husband, and also lost their salon in an air raid. Instead of giving up, she rebuilt her life, moving back to Nakagawa in 1953 to open another barbershop. And to this day, she continues to serve a select group of loyal customers each month. “I have no plans to stop working,” she says with determination.
But Hakoishi’s grit isn’t just about her profession. In 2020, she was also a torchbearer for the Tokyo Olympics. To prepare for the moment, she trained by walking over 1,000 steps a day while carrying a pole matching the Olympic torch’s weight. “At the moment when I raised the torch, I felt truly alive,” she recalled.
At 108, Shitsui Hakoishi isn’t just a barber—she’s an inspiration. A living testament to perseverance, passion, and purpose, she proves that when you love what you do, you never really stop working.
