{"id":10048,"date":"2010-11-12T14:30:00","date_gmt":"2010-11-12T14:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/idp.bl.uk\/?p=10048"},"modified":"2023-09-11T11:39:06","modified_gmt":"2023-09-11T10:39:06","slug":"idp-collections-in-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/idp.bl.uk\/blog\/idp-collections-in-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"IDP Collections in Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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This summary of the history and make-up of the collections held in Japanese institutions was produced by the IDP team, led by Susan Whitfield, in December 2005. The information was last updated in November 2010. While we are keeping this text up as a background resource, please be aware that new information may have come to light since its initial writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Otani Explorations in Chinese Central Asia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collections: Contents and Access<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collections: On IDP<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bibliography<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

The Otani Explorations in Chinese Central Asia<\/h2>\n\n
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\u00a9 Ryukoku University Omiya Library<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The Otani expeditions refer to the three trips to Central Asia between 16 August 1902 and 10 July 1914, carried out under the leadership of Count Otani Kozui (1876\u20131948), the 22nd abbot of the Nishi Honganji monastery in Kyoto (also written “Nishi Hongwanji”). The aim of the expeditions was to investigate Buddhist sites and to collect ancient manuscripts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While studying in London, Otani had traveled all over Europe and met several other explorers, among them the Swede Sven Hedin and the Hungarian\/British Aurel Stein. Otani dreamed of exploring Central Asia and influenced by these people he decided to organize his own expedition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because Chinese Central Asia had once played a decisive role in the eastward spread of Buddhism, Otani’s objective was to explore and excavate this region with the eyes of a Buddhist follower, especially seeking out old sutras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The members of the expedition wrote diaries and although there are no detailed descriptions of all archaeological objects the main events of the expedition are recorded. The diaries and photographs of the expedition, as well as the botanical specimens, are stored together at the Ryukoku University Library.<\/p>\n\n\n

First Expedition (1902\u20134)<\/h3>\n\n
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\u00a9 Ryukoku University Omiya Library<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Members<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n