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Kodzui OtaniJapanese traveler explorer
Date of Birth: 27.12.1876
Country:  Japan |
Content:
- Biography of Kozui Otani
- Early Life and European Influence
- Expeditions in Central Asia
- Contributions and Legacy
Biography of Kozui Otani
Japanese Traveler and ExplorerKozui Otani was a Japanese traveler and explorer, known for his expeditions in Central Asia. He was born into a noble family and was also recognized as the 22nd abbot of the Hongan-ji Temple in Japan.
Early Life and European Influence
In his youth, Otani received education in London and traveled throughout Europe. During this time, he met several prominent explorers, including Sven Hedin, Aurel Stein, and Albert von Le Coq. These encounters greatly influenced him, and he made the decision to explore Eastern Turkestan, a region that played a significant role in the spread of Buddhism. One of his goals was to discover ancient Buddhist scriptures.
Expeditions in Central Asia
From 1902 to 1910, Otani financed three expeditions to Central Asia. The most notable achievement was the archaeological excavation of the ancient city of Subashi in the Taklamakan Desert. The first expedition (1902-1904), which Otani personally led, was organized as part of his return from Europe to Japan. The expedition started in St. Petersburg, where Otani gathered like-minded individuals, and they traveled to Kashgar through Baku, Samarkand, Andijan, and Osh. The group split into two in Kashgar, with Otani, Inoue, and Honda forming the Indian group, and Watanabe and Hori forming the Central Asian group. They traveled separately and conducted explorations in different areas before reuniting in Japan.
Contributions and Legacy
Otani had to cease his personal involvement in the expeditions in 1903 due to his inheritance of the responsibilities as the abbot. However, he continued to organize expeditions and modernized the Jodo Shinshu school of Buddhism in Kyoto. The second expedition (1908-1909) focused on Turpan and Kucha, where the group discovered a significant number of Buddhist manuscripts and artifacts. The third expedition (1910-1914) explored various regions, including Dunhuang, Tian Shan, and Manchuria, resulting in the collection known as the "Otani Collection," which is now divided among museums in Japan, China, and Korea.
Despite his contributions to archaeology and exploration, Otani faced financial scandals and had to step down as the abbot in 1914. During the war, he served as an advisor in the occupied territories in China and was later held in Soviet captivity. After the war, Otani passed away from stomach cancer. His diaries, photographs, and botanical collections are preserved in Ryukoku University in Japan. Otani also left behind several research works on China and Manchuria.
