The sight of people way past retirement age still working isn’t an uncommon one in Japan. In fact it isn’t even unusual on the pages of Tokyo Times. There’s a shoemaker still plying his trade in a wonderfully archaic workshop. A long since ex-French chef still cooking up a storm. Plus another septuagenarian bar owner in no way ready to put her feet up just yet. But as old as those people are, they act nothing like their years, energetically going about their business in the manner of someone much, much younger.
This woman, however, is a different story altogether. Admittedly she may not be the oldest. Your guess is as good as mine on that one. But it would be difficult to find a shop owner looking any more world-weary.
Juliette says
Wow. In one sense I’m in awe of her still continuing to work at that age. Respect! But then she also looks so… How can I say? …. Defeated… But positive or negative, thanks for sharing!
Lee says
You are very welcome.
Yeah, I know what you mean. I wouldn’t say defeated, but life clearly must be a struggle. Still, she’s up, about and amazingly still at work. Fair play to her.
Hans Horst says
Great shot, I would feel a bit bad at eating there. It looks like the unagi restaurants do use a lot of elderly people: a few years ago I visited the tiny Akebono restaurant in Sendai (http://hoshisato.aminus3.com/image/2008-07-03.html) where the mother of the current master did all the serving. The restaurant had been in the family for 140 years, and I’m sure that these people have worked so long in the restaurant that they cannot imagine life without being there.
Lee says
Cheers! The old lady in your shot looks a lot happier. That’s a lovely smile you captured.
Yes, I think it becomes simply a way of life. In fact not just a way of life, but practically life itself. All those little shops and the like that barely get any customers. If any at all for some. Yet 5 or 6 days a week the owners open up without fail. Sitting where they’ve sat for years. Seemingly neither happy nor sad. Just doing what they’ve always done. Personally I find it hard to get my head round, but presumably they would feel the same about anything different.
niv says
I would feel bad eating there..I would want to help her out instead
Lee says
I know what you mean. It’s not actually a restaurant. Just a shop that serves food. But the sentiment is exactly the same. Even though I’d be giving her money, I’d still worry I was causing her trouble…
Nathaniel Greene says
Poor lady. Life can be brutal. Also I didn’t think a human neck could bend that way, looks like her head is literally about to fall off O.O
Lee says
I know. Pretty shocking, isn’t it? Her many years have definitely taken their toll…
Linette says
This image makes me want to cry. It looks as if she is carrying the weight of the world on her shoulder.
Lee says
Yeah, I know what you mean. Seen her a few times, and every movement seems like a huge effort…
Jeffrey says
The obvious assumption is some sort of osteoporosis. Lack of sufficient calcium in the diet and, typically, a lifetime of stoop work in rice fields caused this for a lot of women. Maybe her life before Tokyo? I think it may be a generational, geographic and historical malady. You used to see “speed skaters,” as one of my co-workers back in the ’80s called them, all the time. But as post-war diets improved and as most rice is now planted by mini- tractor, their numbers are dwindling.
Another American friend tells a great story about having a conversation with one such woman and when she finally looked up was surprised to see that she was talking with a gaijin.
Lee says
Some people dismiss the work element, but diet must undoubtedly be a huge factor. Something that’s backed up by the sheer number of elderly Japanese one sees terribly bent over.
That’s a lovely story about your friend. Would love to have seen the shock on the old lady’s face!
Martin J. Franta says
Wow, a great shot. I have only the greatest respect for people working late in life – there seem to be all these elements of dignity, of struggle with time, as we all do struggle with time eventually. I see many old farmers here in rural Colorado, since small farming is the old man’s profession these days. But it’s definitely not the same look as Japan. You capture the essence beautifully, your work stands out.
Lee says
Thank you very much.
Lots of old farmers here too. Some of them incredibly old. But as the photo shows, lots of old people still in countless other professions too.
Like you say though, there’s a real dignity there. A struggle they battle against with surprising vigour.