Shigechiyo Izumi Japanese centenarian Date of Birth: 29.06.1880 Country: Japan

1. Biography of Sigeyo Idzumi
2. Early Life
3. Secrets to Longevity
4. Death and Controversy
5. Interesting Fact

Biography of Sigeyo Idzumi

Sigeyo Idzumi was a Japanese supercentenarian who was believed to be the oldest person in the world after the passing of another long-lived individual, Niwa Kawamoto. Idzumi's name was first mentioned in the Guinness World Records, but in the 2012 edition, the publishers decided not to recognize him as the oldest person. Instead, Christian Mortensen, a Danish-American supercentenarian, was listed as the oldest confirmed living male.

Early Life

Sigeyo Idzumi was born in Isen, Tokunoshima, Ryukyu Kingdom. His name appeared in the first census in Japan in 1871 when he was just six years old. Idzumi claimed to vividly remember that day. If this is accurate, Idzumi would have died at the age of 120. However, there is a growing belief that he was actually 105 at the time of his death. His wife passed away at the age of 90.

Secrets to Longevity

Idzumi attributed his long life to drinking "firewater," a distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grains, often barley or rice. He also started smoking at the age of 70. According to him, his career began in 1872 when he herded cattle at a sugar plantation, where the animals consumed leftover vegetation. He claimed to have retired as a laborer on a sugarcane farm in 1970. Idzumi credited his longevity to "the Gods, Buddha, and the Sun."

Death and Controversy

After a brief hospitalization, Sigeyo Idzumi passed away from pneumonia on February 21, 1986, at 21:15 Japanese Standard Time. He was considered the oldest person for some time, surpassing the age of 120. However, in April 1987, 14 months after his death, the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology reported that examination of Idzumi's family documents indicated that he died at the age of 105. Additionally, the 2011 edition of the Guinness World Records suggested that the birth certificate presented as evidence might have belonged to Idzumi's older brother, who died at a young age. It is possible that the parents named Sigeyo in honor of the deceased brother, casting doubt on his final age of 120.

Interesting Fact

Idzumi passed away on February 21, which also happened to be Jeanne Calment's birthday. Currently, Jiroemon Kimura, a former postman and farmer from Japan, holds the title of the oldest verified male ever, having lived for 115 years and 327 days.