Shiggy Konno
Encyclopedia
, more often known by his nickname of Shiggy Konno, was a noted figure in post-war rugby union in Japan
for over fifty years. He was a strong advocate of amateurism in the game.
At Doshisha, he played as a prop.
Konno trained to be one of the last kamikaze pilot
s, but never flew a mission, because by his own admission he was not a good flyer:
In 1952, Konno took his first job in rugby administration, acting as liaison for a touring Oxford University side.
In 1968, Konno helped set up the Asian Rugby Football Union
, being at various times Secretary General, Director and Honorary Chairman. In 1969, he became Director of the Japan Rugby Football Union
, and in 1972 its chairman, a position he held until 1994. He held various other posts in the JRFU until 2007.
Between 1991 and 2000, Konno was Japan's representative on the International Rugby Board
, the world governing body of the sport.
Konno-san, was awarded an OBE
in 1985 by Queen Elizabeth II, for his services to rugby, and also for helping improve Anglo-Japanese relations.
His funeral was held at Kōshōden in Zōjō-ji
temple in Tokyo.
Rugby union in Japan
Rugby union in Japan is a popular sport. Japan has the fourth largest population of rugby union players in the world and the sport has been played there for over a century...
for over fifty years. He was a strong advocate of amateurism in the game.
Biography
Konno had been educated in the UK, and was a fluent English speaker. He attended Doshisha UniversityDoshisha University
, or is a prestigious private university in Kyoto, Japan. The university has approximately 27,000 students on three campuses, in faculties of theology, letters, law, commerce, economics, policy, and engineering...
At Doshisha, he played as a prop.
Konno trained to be one of the last kamikaze pilot
Kamikaze
The were suicide attacks by military aviators from the Empire of Japan against Allied naval vessels in the closing stages of the Pacific campaign of World War II, designed to destroy as many warships as possible....
s, but never flew a mission, because by his own admission he was not a good flyer:
In 1952, Konno took his first job in rugby administration, acting as liaison for a touring Oxford University side.
In 1968, Konno helped set up the Asian Rugby Football Union
Asian Rugby Football Union
The Asian Rugby Football Union ' is the governing body of rugby union in Asia under the authority of the International Rugby Board.Founded in 1968 by eight charter nations, the Union today has 27 member unions in countries across Asia, stretching from Kazakhstan to Guam.The aim of ARFU is: "to...
, being at various times Secretary General, Director and Honorary Chairman. In 1969, he became Director of the Japan Rugby Football Union
Japan Rugby Football Union
The Japan Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in Japan. It was formed November 30, 1926 and is currently one of only two federations from a "Tier 2" country with a seat on the International Rugby Board executive council, the sport's international governing body...
, and in 1972 its chairman, a position he held until 1994. He held various other posts in the JRFU until 2007.
Between 1991 and 2000, Konno was Japan's representative on the International Rugby Board
International Rugby Board
The International Rugby Board is the governing body for the sport of rugby union. It was founded in 1886 as the International Rugby Football Board by the unions of Scotland, Wales and Ireland. England refused to join until 1890. The International Rugby Football Board changed its name to the...
, the world governing body of the sport.
Konno-san, was awarded an OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 1985 by Queen Elizabeth II, for his services to rugby, and also for helping improve Anglo-Japanese relations.
His funeral was held at Kōshōden in Zōjō-ji
Zojo-ji
San'en-zan is a Buddhist temple in the Shiba neighborhood of Minato, Tokyo, Japan. It is the Great Main Temple of the Chinzai sect of the Shingon school. The main image is of Amida Buddha...
temple in Tokyo.