Kyōsen Kineya, the oldest Nagauta shamisen master ever, dies at 111
The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is sadden to reported that Mrs. Kyōsen Kineya [杵屋響泉, real nameSachiko Kimura (木村さち子)], the oldest Nagauta shamisen master ever, sadly passed away due to old age in Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan on 4 January 2026 at the final age of 111 years and 81 days.
Kyōsen Kineya was born in Tsukiji, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan, on 15 November 1914 (Taishō 3). Her father passed away in 1917. In 1923, the family moved to Kanagawa Prefecture, where she remained. She married in 1947 and went on to have two daughters [including her second-daughter Rokukyō Kineya (杵屋六響), who was a Nagauta singer].
In 1963, she took the stage name Kyōsen Kineya (杵屋響泉) and continued to perform until her later years. On 24 April 2019, she released her first album, “Ichimarugo” [一○五（いちまるご）]. She became the oldest woman to release a debut album at the age of 104 years and 160 days, earning a Guinness World Record, which caused quite a stir.
On 15 November 2024, she celebrated her 110th birthday and became a supercentenarian. In her birthday months of 2024 and 2025, she was presented with a bouquet of flowers by Mayor Kenichi Katō (加藤憲) as the oldest resident of Odawara City.
Her age was verified by Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, Japan, and validated by the GRG on 16 December 2024.
Kyōsen Kineya passed away due to old age in Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, at 1:40 AM on 4 February 2026, at the age of 111 years and 81 days. At the time of her death, she was the oldest living Nagauta shamisen master in the world, and also the oldest Nagauta shamisen master ever. The funeral was held with her close relatives, and the chief mourner was her second daughter, Rokukyō Kineya.
May Mrs. Kineya rest in eternal peace~