1975
How He Encountered Rugby
Seiji Hirao was born in Kyoto, Japan in January 1963. Playing baseball at elementary school, he was not happy to be a mere benchwarmer. He thought there was a sport that would suit him better. One day he saw the local rugby team then he was fascinated by its players. For him, they looked have much fun during practice. As soon as he entered junior high school, he started playing rugby. He came to be known as "Mr. Rugby" and contributed immensely to Japan's rugby scene.
1977
The Passion of Coach Yoshiharu Yamaguchi
Yoshiharu Yamaguchi, a former coach at Fushimi Technical High School, was captivated by Hirao's superb play at junior high and pursuaded him to join his team. Although Hirao had listened to him, Yamaguchi thought that Hirao would more likely go on to Hanazono High School, one of the most powerful teams at that time. However, Hirao applied to Fushimi Technical High School the following year. Coach Yamaguchi’s passion had finally reached young Hirao.
1982
Selection as Team Japan's Youngest Player
In 1979, when he was a sophomore at Fushimi Technical High School, Hirao's team defeated Hanazono High School and won the Kyoto Prefectural Game championships. The team also went through to the quarterfinals of the National High School Rugby Tournament. In January 1981, when he was a second-year, he lead his team to take the National Championship, playing at Hanazono Rugby Stadium, after only their second participation. After his graduation from high school, Hirao joined Doshisha University's rugby team. In 1982, when he was a Doshisha undergraduate, he was chosen as the youngest player of Team Japan in history. He was only 19 years 4 month old at that time.
“Eyes of a Wolf”
Once, while a freshman at Doshisha University, Hirao was playing as stand-off in a game against Meiji University, a match that his team ultimately lost. As the game ended, Hirao put his hands on his head by upset. A photographer covering the match, Hirotsugu Okamura, described what he was like, 'His eyes are like those of a wolf.' And it was thanks to his analytical skills and insightful abilities that Hirao went on to help Doshisha University win its record-breaking 3 collegiate championships in a row. He also had great charm and played rugby with a child-like joy. He was often seen laughing with his teammates during warm-ups.
1985
Playing in the UK and Amateur Regulations
After graduating from the university, Hirao went to the United Kingdom to play rugby. However, he was temporarily disqualified by the Japan Rugby Football Union determined that some photos of him published in a Japanese fashion magazine were inappropriate under amateur regulations. He was cleared of any wrongdoing and subsequently picked to join a world-selection team for the UK. Hirao was inspired by the British style of rugby, where each player's individual personality is respected, and where playing rugby is regarded as a privilege not an obligation. Hirao's ideal style of rugby in Japan was greatly influenced by the UK-style.
1988
Captain at Kobe Steel team and Freestyle Rugby
After spending one year in the UK, Hirao entered at Kobe Steel, Ltd. In 1988, his third year with the company, he became captain of their rugby team. He brought a new peｒspective to Japan's rugby scene through his sharp analytical skills and insightful play, as well as the unconventional free-style he had further honed during his time in the UK. During his time with Kobe Steel team, his team won the National Corporate Rugby championships 7 times in a row.
1997
Retirement and Team Japan Head Coach
In February 1997, 11 months prior to retiring from corporate rugby, Hirao became Team Japan head coach. He, and another coach Masato Tsuchida, established a motto, "Youkonwasai". This means "Western-style spirit, Japanese-style talent", an attitude defined as practicing a western world spiritual tradition while utilizing particular Japanese skills. Japan's rugby community has inherited and embraced this message and doctrine.
