Shitsui Hakoishi, a 108-year-old Japanese woman, has been officially recognized as the world's oldest female barber, according to Guinness World Records. But even though she's in the record books, she still plans to work until she's 110!
Hakoishi, born in 1916, began to be a barberat the age of 14after being invited as an apprentice at a hair salon in Tokyo.
"I'm so happy. My heart is so full," said Hakoishi at the ceremony in Nakagawa, Tochigi.
According to Guinness, there are separate categories for oldest female and male barbers. The former male record holder, Anthony Mancinelli, worked in New Yorkuntil 107 years old, but has since passed away.
In his youth, Hakoishi married and opened a salon with his wife.However, World War IIoccurred, and his wife died after being conscripted into the war.
Their salon and house in Tokyo were burned down in a bombing by the US military, but Hakoishi and his children survived after they evacuated back to their hometown in Nakagawa.
After a few years, she reopened a salon in Nakagawa, where she still works today. Some of her former clients still call her to make haircut appointments.
Although she now lives in a care home, she is still able to take care of herself.
At the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, he was one of the torchbearers and walked 200 meters as part of the celebration.
When asked what his next planwas, he replied: "I'll be 109 this year, but I want to work until I'm 110!"
