After World War II, Prince Chichibu was honorary head of many athletic organizations, and was nicknamed the "sporting Prince" due to his efforts to promote skiing, rugby union and other sports.

He was "converted" to rugby after, JRFU president, Shigeru Kayama returned from a long sea voyage and was able to "market" the game to Prince Chichibu.
He attended Oxford University, but was only there for one term, and had to return when his father, the Emperor Taishō died.
In Japan, his interest was further strengthened when he saw Keio play Waseda.
He became president of the JRFU himself in 1926.

After his death in 1953, the Tokyo Rugby Stadium in Kita-Aoyama 2-chome was renamed Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium (秩父宮ラグビー場 – Chichibunomiya Ragubī-jō).
A statue of Prince Chichibu in a rugby uniform was erected there.
After World War II, Prince Chichibu was honorary head of many athletic organizations, and was nicknamed the "sporting Prince" due to his efforts to promote skiing, rugby union and other sports.
He was "converted" to rugby after, JRFU president, Shigeru Kayama returned from a long sea voyage and was able to "market" the game to Prince Chichibu. He attended Oxford University, but was only there for one term, and had to return when his father, the Emperor Taishō died. In Japan, his interest was further strengthened when he saw Keio play Waseda. He became president of the JRFU himself in 1926.
After his death in 1953, the Tokyo Rugby Stadium in Kita-Aoyama 2-chome was renamed Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium (秩父宮ラグビー場 – Chichibunomiya Ragubī-jō). A statue of Prince Chichibu in a rugby uniform was erected there.
Rugby union in Japan