Career
Between 1902 and 1910, he financed three expeditions to Central Asia although his participation was stopped for his succession. Ōtani was a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and played host to several of his fellow Central Asian explorers, such as Sven Hedin and Albert von Le Coq. His collection, often called "Ōtani collection" is still considered important in Central Asian studies, although it is today scattered in Tokyo, Kyoto, China and of Korea.
In addition to his spiritual responsibilities and his Central Asian activities, Ōtani wrote about China, Manchuria and Chinese porcelain.
While playing the Great Game, British and Russian intelligence both suspected that his archaeological expeditions were little more than covers for espionage activities. After his father Myonyo"s death, he succeeded as Abbot of the Nishi Honganji in 1903.
While he continued to sponsor the expeditions, he devoted himself to the modernization of the Jōdo Shinshū section His sponsorship, however, brought huge amounts of debt to his section
A financial scandal forced him to abdicate in 1914.