On December 12, the world said goodbye to Fusa Tatsumi, the second oldest woman at the age of 116, as she peacefully passed away in a care home in Kashiwara, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. She enjoyed her favorite meal of bean-paste jelly before her departure. Born on April 25, 1907, Fusa Tatsumi, a farmer’s wife, had led a remarkable life.
Throughout her long journey, Fusa maintained exceptional health, attributing her longevity to decades of hard physical labor, which included carrying baskets loaded with harvested peaches and grapes on her back. Married at 32 to Ryutaro, she and her husband toiled in the fields to provide for their family of five. Devoted to her family, Fusa and Ryutaro raised three children.
Reflecting on his mother’s life, Fusa’s son, Kanji, remarked, “I think she did great to get to this age.” Beyond farming, Fusa found solace in cultivating chrysanthemum flowers and practicing the art of flower arranging as a hobby.
Fusa’s disciplined lifestyle contributed to her sustained well-being. An accident in her 70s, resulting in a broken femur from a fall while gardening, was the only physical setback in her life. Until the age of 106, Fusa resided in her family home, maintaining a routine of three balanced meals a day, consisting of vegetables, fish, and a modest amount of meat.
Even in her later years at the care home, Fusa remained active, doing her own makeup at 110 and engaging in cheerful conversations with the staff. The care home shared details of Fusa’s daily habits, emphasizing her disciplined routine, including the consumption of one liter of water each day.
Osaka governor Hirofumi Yoshimura conveyed condolences to Fusa’s family, remembering the vibrant celebration held in September to mark her longevity. As the world mourns Fusa Tatsumi, the title of the second oldest woman now passes on to Edith Ceccarelli of the United States. Fusa’s legacy lives on, symbolizing resilience, hard work, and a life well-lived.
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