Background
Otani Koson was born on March 7, 1850.
Otani Koson was born on March 7, 1850.
Otani was made a Count in 1872, following his installation as Chief Abbot dated from 1871. He became the head of four branches of the Shinshu Sect and advocated amalgamation of Shintoism and Buddhism.
In cooperation with Mokurai Shimaji, he promoted missionary work, sent students abroad and reformed the system of training priests. Koson sent chaplains to the expeditionary forces in the Sino-Japanese War (1894-95), built the Kakuoden Pavilion to house Buddha's ashes brought from Thailand. He also wrote many books.
