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Kozui
Otani
Kozui
Otani (1876-1948 ) was only 14 when he was sent to London for study.
His father was the 21st Abbot of the West Hongan Monastery, headquarters
of the Jodo Shinshu -- Pure Land sect of Buddhism -- in Japan. While
in Europe Otani had the chance to learn about many of the expeditions
to Central Asia and read recently published accounts by Sven Hedin
and others. He also became a member of the Royal Geographical Society.
In 1902 he embarked on his own expedition, accompanied by several
Japanese monks from Nishi Honganji Temple. Unfortunately, en route
he received news of his father's death and had to curtail his travels
and return to Japan to take up his position as 22nd Abbot -- becoming
Count Otani. His companions continued and only returned to Japan
with their finds in May 1904.
From
1911 to 1912, Kozui Otani sent Zuicho Tachibana and Yoshikawa Koichiro
to Dunhuang again. They stayed in Dunhuang for eight weeks and obtained
more than 400 manuscripts from Dunhuang. Part of these relics now
are reserved in the Otani University and the Ryukoku University.
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