Background
Otani Koen was born on February 27, 1875 in Kyoto, Japan. Otani was the second son of Koei (Gennyo), 22nd Chief Abbot of the Higashi Honganji Temple.
Otani Koen was born on February 27, 1875 in Kyoto, Japan. Otani was the second son of Koei (Gennyo), 22nd Chief Abbot of the Higashi Honganji Temple.
Otani went to Thailand in 1900 to receive a gift of Buddha's ashes. Became 23rd Chief Abbot (1908) but was excommunicated for vioiating the code of the sect. While at the Honganji's branch in Asakusa, Tokyo, he became interested in haiku and composed poems under the guidance of Kyoshi Takahama and Hekigoto Kawahigashi. Later he fost interest in haiku of the new school and edited his own magazine, Kakeaoi, since 1904.