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Cutting-edge Daily Life of Elderly #10 Joining Hands to Exchange Energy

We can now enjoy longevity as we live in the 100-year-life era.

People first worked to extend the average life expectancy, and then aimed for longer healthy life expectancy. I would say Japan has now entered the era aiming for longer “engage life expectancy.”

What is engage life expectancy? It is the period in which a person can contribute to society and others. Going beyond healthy life expectancy, it refers to how long we can be useful to society throughout our lives.

 

“We are offering free hand massages today. You’re welcome to try it.”

A receptionist told me when I visited a car dealership the other day. Lucky me! I instantly replied, “Yes, please!”

 

The massage space was set up in a corner of the showroom, with two massage therapists waiting for guests. The one on the right was a young, innocent-looking woman, carefully checking the cosmetic items she’d use for massaging. The one on the left was an older women, looking fully ready to serve and smiling at me.

Without hesitation, I headed straight to the lady on the left, who was wearing a name tag “Endo” on her chest.

“Nice to meet you.” After we exchanged greetings, Ms. Endo took my hand to check its overall stiffness. Next, she carefully examined its dryness, hangnails, and nail condition. Then, she put some cream on and gently started massaging, from my elbow to fingertips.

“You fingers are quite stiff. Maybe you use a computer at work? Massaging this part should work.” “You can’t see your own elbows, but they are surprisingly noticeable from behind. So you may want to take good care of them.” “Wow, your nails are so tiny and cute! But they look a little dry. You can apply hand cream to your nails too. That will give them shine.” She would give me a variety of advice in a positive tone and at the perfect timing.

 

“Ms. Endo. You’re so beautiful. You’ve been in this industry for long?” To my question, she replied with a smile: “Well, I’ve been here long enough because I’m the oldest, 78.” “Whaaaat?! Really? You look so young!” Watching my stunned face, she continued to share her story with a happy look on her face:

“I had long worked as a beauty advisor at the XX cosmetics company. Now, I work as a part-time visiting beauty advisor, traveling here and there like today. When I take customer’s hand and look at it, I can see how well or tired they are that day. I do my best to relax both their body and mind while speaking with them. I love looking at the customer’s face after the massage as they touch their much softer hands.” “I see. It’s like you’re exchanging energy.” To my comment, Ms. Endo beamed with joy like a flower “Wow, that’s a beautiful way to put it. You’re right. Exchanging energy from one hand to another.”

 



It must have been challenging for women of her age to continue working for a long time. And she still keeps working, though in a different style. The company must have played an essential role in supporting women’s work, but Ms. Endo may have also been one of the pioneers who have paved the path for women’s career advancement. Also, it had been a while since the last time I met a woman speaking beautiful Japanese like Ms. Endo.

After the hand massage, Ms. Endo worked efficiently and briskly while giving us a soft smile, as if saying:

“We can keep working for many years in such a beautiful, elegant, and graceful manner even if… no, BECAUSE we are women.”

<Written by Mamiko Kashima>

 

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