Shigechiyo Izumi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shigechiyo Izumi
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| 泉 重千代 | |
Shigechiyo Izumi with a group of children
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| Born | 29 June 1865 (or 1880) Isen, Tokunoshima, Satsuma Domain, Japan
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| Died | 21 February 1986 (aged either 120 years, 237 days or 105 years, 237 days) Isen, Ōshima District, Kagoshima, Japan
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| Known for | Claimed longevity |
Shigechiyo Izumi (泉 重千代, Izumi Shigechiyo, born 29 June 1865/1880 - died 21 February 1986) was a man from Japan who was once thought to be the oldest person alive. After another Japanese person named Niwa Kawamoto passed away on November 16, 1976, Izumi was given this title.
His case was first checked by Guinness World Records. They even called him the oldest man ever. However, Guinness later changed their mind. In their 2012 book, Christian Mortensen was named the "oldest verified man ever," and Izumi was no longer mentioned.
Contents
Who Was Shigechiyo Izumi?
Shigechiyo Izumi was born on June 29, 1865, or possibly 1880. He was the only son of Tameminamoto and Tsurukame Izumi. Sadly, his parents died when he was just six months old. In February 1866, his grandfather, Katsuzumi Izumi, adopted him.
Guinness World Records found a document that suggested he was 24 years old in 1889. This document showed he was excused from military service to work in the sugar cane fields. He worked as a sugar cane farmer for most of his life. He finally retired from farming in 1970.
His Long Life and Passing
Shigechiyo Izumi lived a very long life. He passed away from pneumonia on February 21, 1986, at 9:15 PM Japan Standard Time. He was one of only two people, along with Jeanne Calment, who were believed to have lived past their 120th birthday.
Doubts About His Age
After Izumi's death, some research raised questions about his exact age. In April 1987, about 14 months after he passed away, experts from the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology looked into his family records. Their research suggested he might have been 105 years old when he died, not 120.
The 2011 Guinness World Records book also mentioned this uncertainty. It stated that the birth certificate used as proof might have actually belonged to his older brother. His brother had died at a young age, and the family might have reused the name "Shigechiyo" for him.
Today, the oldest male whose age is officially confirmed is Jiroemon Kimura, also from Japan. He lived to be 116 years and 54 days old.
Images for kids
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Shigechiyo Izumi with a group of children
See also
In Spanish: Shigechiyo Izumi para niños
