Shitsui Hakoishi, aged 108, has been officially crowned the world’s oldest practicing female barber by Guinness World Records and LongeviQuest. From surviving war-torn Tokyo to cutting hair with century-old scissors, her story blends quiet resilience with an unmatched devotion to her craft—one she still practices nearly a hundred years after she began.
from rural roots to global recognition
Born on 10 November 1916, in rural Japan to a farming family, Shitsui discovered her passion for hairdressing at 14, when a friend’s mother offered her an apprenticeship opportunity. With a bold heart and a single suitcase, she left for Tokyo, alone.
By 18, she had passed Japan’s official barber examination in 1934. Her skills quickly made her popular among clients, and she gained respect in an industry that demanded both technical ability and artistry.
At 24, she married Jiro Hakoishi, and the couple opened their own salon in Tokyo. It wasn’t just a workplace—it was their home and the heart of their young family, which soon included two children. They thrived in the city’s vibrant beauty scene, developing a strong reputation for professional excellence.
Then came tragedy. Jiro was conscripted during the Second Sino-Japanese War, and died in combat. Not long after, American bombing raids on Tokyo destroyed their home and salon.
But Shitsui had made a life-saving decision: she and her children had already evacuated to her hometown in Tochigi Prefecture. Though her world had been reduced to ashes, she had survived—and she was not finished.
a legacy rebuilt through war and resilience
In 1953, she opened Salon Rihatsu Hakoishi in Nakagawa-machi, a small town three hours from Tokyo, nestled in the mountains. She built her new business from the ground up, using some of the same tools she’d carried with her since the pre-war era—including a pair of scissors that still sits in her shop today.
The salon, compact and traditional, became a local staple. And over time, so did she.
Shitsui’s philosophy is simple and rooted in wisdom passed down from her mother: the “three nevers”. In a 2024 interview, she said: “Never hold a grudge, never be jealous, and never fight with others. If you hurt others, it will come back to hurt you.”
On March 6, 2025, Guinness World Records confirmed her new title: the world’s oldest female barber still in practice. The recognition was celebrated in her salon, alongside her children—now 81 and 85 years old.
The acknowledgment was not just symbolic. It fulfilled one of her final lifelong goals. “I’m at this age now,” she said with a smile, “so I don’t know how long I can last. But I will keep going as long as I can.”
At the astonishing age of 108, Shitsui Hakoishi has been certified as the world’s oldest female barber.
still working, still evolving, still inspiring
Though she now lives in a care home, Shitsui looks after herself, continues to accept client appointments, and maintains a routine that amazes caregivers and doctors alike. Her old clients still call for haircuts, a loyalty built over decades of careful attention and warm service.
She plans to retire at 110, which would mark an astounding 96-year career in the industry.
Shitsui’s career has spanned every major hairstyle trend in Japan: from prewar traditional cuts, to postwar Western influences, to modern styles. Her ability to adapt is not just rare—it’s nearly unheard of.
Her tools, her discipline, and her passion have remained constant. In an era when celebrities struggle with aging and industries chase trends, Shitsui represents a different kind of endurance—one rooted in purpose, not popularity.
Shitsui Hakoishi is not just the oldest barber in the world. She is a symbol of resilience, humility, and lifelong mastery. Her story defies assumptions about aging, retirement, and the limits of personal achievement.
From a teenage apprentice in Tokyo to a global icon at 108, she hasn’t just witnessed history—she’s styled it, one haircut at a time.
AloJapan.com