The Otani Explorations in Chinese Central Asia 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 (1876–1948), the 22nd abbot of the Nishi
Honganji monastery in Kyoto. The aim of the expeditions was to
investigate Buddhist sites and to collect ancient manuscripts.
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. 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. The members of the expedition wrote diaries and although
there are no detailed descriptions of all archaeological objects
the main events of the