Japanese rugby in the early days can be considered as the history of Keio University Rugby Football Club. In 1899, a rugby team was established in Keio University. This team grew into a great team as it practiced with and received hard training YC & AC. Studying and understanding the history of Japanese rugby can lead us to pursue the history of Keio University Rugby Football Club.
An English teacher for Keio University, Dr. E. B. Clarke, and his friend, Ginnosuke Tanaka, who previously played rugby together at Cambridge University, introduced rugby to Japan. It was in the autumn of 1899. A letter written by Dr. Clarke, who served as the enthusiastic rugby-football pioneer in Japan, demonstrates this historical fact. His letter is contained in “The 60-Year History of Keio University” as recorded below:
An English teacher for Keio University, Dr. E. B. Clarke, and his friend, Ginnosuke Tanaka, who previously played rugby together at Cambridge University, introduced rugby to Japan. It was in the autumn of 1899. A letter written by Dr. Clarke, who served as the enthusiastic rugby-football pioneer in Japan, demonstrates this historical fact. His letter is contained in “The 60-Year History of Keio University” as recorded below: