Kinsan Ginsan
“Kinsan Ginsan” was the affectionate name give to some record-setting, long-lived twin sisters from Japan. They were Kin Narita (1 August 1892 – 23 January 2000) and Gin Kanie (1 August 1892 – 28 February 2001). Their maiden name was Yano. Their good health, despite being over 100 years old, was said to be “an ideal form of living in your sunset years”, and they became national celebrities in Japan.
History
The twins were born on 1 August 1892 (in the 25th year of the Meiji Era) in Narumi Village (currently in Midori Ward) in Aichi Prefecture. Kin was the eldest daughter and Gin was the second-eldest daughter. Tests proved that they were identical twins, although for some reason they had different blood types.
Kin Narita • The elder twin. Blood group O. Died on 23 January 2000, aged 107. • Cause of death was heart failure. • Favorite food was fish with red flesh.
Gin Kanie • The younger twin. Blood group A. Died on 28 February 2001, aged 108. • Cause of death was old age and senile dementia. • Favorite food as fish with white meat.
In 1991, they celebrated reaching 100 years of age, and were featured in a newspaper article in which the Mayor of Nagoya met both of them and congratulated them.