Category Archives: Japan

The Shimogamo Shrine: Rugby’s First Religious Monument

Posted on June 24, 2019 by

The Shimogamo Shrine is a designated UNESCO world heritage site that dates from the 6th Century. It is described in the Japanese origin myth as the final resting place of Yatagarasu, the three legged crow, who guided Japan’s first Emperor to his place of residence at Yamato. Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Rugby World Cup | 1 Comment

Edmund Blunden – the War Poet who went to Japan

Posted on February 25, 2019 by

Edmund Charles Blunden CBE MC is remembered as a well-travelled poet and war hero but fewer people are aware of his impact on the early development of rugby in Japan. Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Museum Collection | Leave a comment

England Students to Japan, 1982

Posted on January 14, 2019 by

In 1982 an England Students side travelled to Japan to play a match against Japan at the Hanazono Stadium in Osaka…  Continue reading →

Posted in Countries, England, International Players, Japan | Leave a comment

SPECIAL EXHIBITION – Brave Blossoms: the History of Rugby in Japan

Posted on November 12, 2018 by

As the rugby world turns towards the land of the rising sun in anticipation of Asia’s first Rugby World Cup, the World Rugby Museum is delighted to present its new special exhibition ‘Brave Blossoms: the History of Rugby in Japan’. Continue reading →

Posted in Countries, Japan, Museum Collection, Rugby World Cup, Twickenham | 2 Comments

Eyes Wide Open: The Demi Sakata Story

Posted on October 15, 2018 by

In 1968 Japan shocked the rugby world by defeating the Junior All-Blacks in Wellington.  Japanese Wing Yoshihiro ‘Demi’ Sakata scored four of Japan’s six tries that day and would go on to demonstrate that the performance was no fluke. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Countries, International Players, Japan | 1 Comment

Tanaka and Clarke: The friends that took rugby from Cambridge to Japan

Posted on July 2, 2018 by

Rugby football arrived in Japan relatively early by worldwide standards, but it was not until the turn of the twentieth century that the sport would be played by Japanese nationals.  Continue reading →

Posted in Clubs, Countries, Japan | 2 Comments

Remembering Seiji Hirao, 1963-2016

Posted on February 20, 2017 by

On Friday February 10th in the lavish setting of the Portopia Hotel in Kobe, the Japan Rugby Football Union together with the Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers Rugby Club staged a remarkable memorial event to celebrate the life of Seiji Hirao, … Continue reading →

Posted in Clubs, Japan, Rugby World Cup | 1 Comment