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Otani KodzuiTraveler-explorer.
Country:
 Japan |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Central Asian Expeditions
- The Indian and Central Asian Groups
- Archaeological Discoveries
- Further Expeditions and the "Ohtani Collection"
- Post-Expedition Life and Legacy
Early Life and Education
Ohtani Kozui, born into Japanese nobility, was a renowned traveler, explorer, and Buddhist priest. He inherited the title "Count Ohtani" from his family lineage and became the 22nd abbot of the Nishi Hongan-ji, a prominent Buddhist temple in Kyoto.
In his early years, Ohtani traveled to Europe, where he encountered renowned explorers such as Sven Hedin, Aurel Stein, and Albert von Le Coq. These encounters sparked his passion for archaeological research and led him to focus on exploring Eastern Turkestan, a region with significant Buddhist history.
Central Asian Expeditions
From 1902 to 1910, Ohtani Kozui organized and funded three major expeditions to Central Asia. The most notable of these was the archaeological exploration of the ancient city of Subashi in the Taklamakan Desert.
The first expedition (1902-1904), which Ohtani personally led, aimed to explore the region on his return journey from Europe to Japan. He embarked on the expedition in London and gathered a group of researchers in St. Petersburg. They traveled to Kashgar via Baku, Samarkand, Osh, and Yarkand.
The Indian and Central Asian Groups
The expedition divided into two groups: the Indian Group, led by Ohtani, Inoue, and Honda, and the Central Asian Group, led by Watanabe and Hori. The Indian Group passed through the Mintaka Pass into Kashmir, while the Central Asian Group explored the ancient cities of Khotan and returned to Yarkand.
Archaeological Discoveries
The group's exploration of Khotan yielded significant results, including discoveries in the ancient cities of Duldurk-ukur, East and West Subashi, and Kizil. Ohtani's expeditions also discovered numerous Buddhist artifacts and manuscripts, including a 782 AD Chinese manuscript and a 4th century AD manuscript belonging to Li Bo, the Deputy Governor of Western Lands.
Further Expeditions and the "Ohtani Collection"
Due to his obligations as abbot, Ohtani stepped back from direct participation in the expeditions after 1903. However, he continued to organize them and support modernization efforts within the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist sect. The second (1908-1909) and third (1910-1914) expeditions made important discoveries in the Turpan, Karahoja, and Dunhuang regions.
Ohtani's expeditions amassed a vast collection of archaeological and historical artifacts, known as the "Ohtani Collection." Today, this collection is divided among museums in Japan, China, and Korea, while the diaries, photographs, and botanical specimens from the expeditions are preserved at Ryukoku University in Japan.
Post-Expedition Life and Legacy
Financial strains caused by the expeditions led to a scandal within the Jodo Shinshu sect, resulting in Ohtani's resignation as abbot in 1914. He served as an advisor in Japanese-occupied territories during World War II and was captured by the Soviet Union. After the war, Ohtani Kozui died of stomach cancer.
Despite allegations of espionage, Ohtani's expeditions made significant contributions to archaeological research and the understanding of East Asian history and culture. His legacy as a traveler, explorer, and patron of the arts continues to inspire generations of researchers and historians.
