Japanese great-grandmother Kimiko Nishimoto, who rose to internet fame for her playful self-portraits on Instagram, has died at the age of 97, her son announced on Thursday.
Nishimoto, who began photography at the age of 72, amassed over 400,000 followers with her quirky and humorous posts, often dressing up in eccentric costumes and creating whimsical scenes. Her photos ranged from flying on a broom like Harry Potter to impersonating a tipsy sumo wrestler.
In a 2018 interview with AFP, she said, “You can take photos no matter how old you are. Whether in your house, outside, or even in bed, you can do it — that’s the beauty of a camera.”
The Japanese media affectionately nicknamed her the “selfie queen,” and her creative flair earned her widespread recognition, national TV appearances, and numerous exhibitions across Japan.
Her son, Kazutami Nishimoto, who teaches photography, said in a heartfelt Instagram tribute, “Our mother always created her work with a smile. We’re truly grateful to everyone who supported her, visited her exhibitions, and encouraged her online.”
He recalled how his mother had taken up photography in retirement by joining his classes, which opened a new chapter in her life filled with joy and creative expression.
“Although she began at 72, she was fortunate to experience countless enriching encounters, making her later years remarkably vibrant,” he said.
Despite the light-hearted nature of her art, some of her more unconventional photos caused confusion. One image — where she posed inside a bin bag as if discarded — drew criticism from those unaware she had staged the photo herself.
In response, she explained, “Ideas don’t just appear suddenly, but wherever I go, I think about what would be fun to dress up as in that place.”
Nishimoto’s legacy lives on as a symbol of creativity, humour, and the limitless possibilities of self-expression at any age.