Yoshiko Ohtani
Yoshiko Ohtani | |
|---|---|
| Born | Yoshiko Tokkudaiji 1918 |
| Died | 2000 (aged 81–82) |
| Other names | Yoshiko Otani |
| Occupation | Religious organization leader |
| Father | Saneatsu Tokudaiji |
Yoshiko Ohtani (1918 – 2000), born Yoshiko Tokudaiji, often referred to as Lady Ohtani, was a Japanese religious organization leader. She was world federation president of the Buddhist Women's Association from 1959 to 1982.[1]
Early life and education
Tokudaiji was the daughter of a nobleman, Saneatsu Tokudaiji, and his wife, Yoneko Matsudaira. She attended Gakushuin Women's College.[1]
Career
As the wife of Kosho Ohtani, a Shin Buddhist leader known as the 23rd Monshu, she was considered urakata, a spiritual leader for Japanese Buddhist women. She traveled with her husband to visit Japanese communities, schools, and hospitals[2] in the United States and Canada in the 1950s,[3][4] 1960s,[5] and 1970s.[6] She started all-Japan and world conferences for chapters of the Buddhist Wonen's Association (BWA) or Fujinkai.[7] In 1974, she and her husband attended the 75th anniversary festivities of the Buddhist Churches in America denomination, held in San Francisco.[8] She was succeeded as urakata and as the BWA's honorary president by her daughter-in-law, Noriko Ohtani, after the BWA's 7th world conference in 1982.[9]
She was also president of the Jodo Shinshu Nursery School Federation, and honorary president of several women's colleges and schools.[1] She wrote poetry, and a biography of Eshinni, wife of the founder of Shin Buddhism.[10]
Publications
- Eshin Ni; the Wife of Shinran Shonin (1970)[10]
Personal life
Tokudaiji was married to Kosho Ohtani in 1937.[11][12] He was the first cousin of Emperor Hirohito.[13] Their wedding was reported in Western press including Time magazine[14] and The New York Times.[11] They lived on the grounds of Nishi Hongan-ji in Kyoto[6] and had four children. Their son Koshin Ohtani succeeded his father as the sect's leader, or Gomonshu.[6][15] She died in 2000, at the age of 82.
References
- ^ a b c Hughes, Maxine (1982-08-01). "Buddhist women's leader voices critical concerns". Hawaii Tribune-Herald. p. 9. Retrieved 2025-11-11 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Shiramizu, Harry (April 5, 1952). "Ohtani Brings Sermon on Mt. Hiyei to Isles". Hawai taimusu. p. 13 – via Hoji Shinbun Digital Collection.
- ^ Masatsugu, Michael Kenji (2023-07-31). Reorienting the Pure Land: Nisei Buddhism in the Transwar Years, 1943–1965. University of Hawaii Press. pp. 83–85. ISBN 978-0-8248-9657-7.
- ^ "Lord Abbot and Lady Ohtani Due Here This Saturday Morning". The Northwest Times. 1952-01-16. p. 1. Retrieved 2025-11-11 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Head of Buddhist Churches Pays Official Visit Locally". The Reedley Exponent. 1969-12-18. p. 1. Retrieved 2025-11-11 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c Hughes, Maxine C. (1974-03-15). "Japan's Lady Ohtani Expresses Views on Women's Role, Rights". Hawaii Tribune-Herald. p. 11. Retrieved 2025-11-11 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "BWA Background & History". Buddhist Temple of San Diego. Retrieved 2025-11-11.
- ^ "Omedeto to BCA 7th Anniversary". Hokubei Mainichi. August 31, 1974. p. 6 – via Hoji Shinbun Digital Collection.
- ^ Hunter, Pat (1982-07-24). "Hongwanji federation holds 7th world convention here". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. p. 25. Retrieved 2025-11-11 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Ohtani, Yoshiko (1970). Eshin Ni; the Wife of Shinran Shonin. Honpa Hongwanji.
- ^ a b "Leader of Japanese Buddhist Sect Marries Princess in Ceremony Performed by Himself". The New York Times. April 25, 1937. p. 34. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-11-11.
- ^ "Bride of Japanese Abbot To Give 1,500,000 Fans". The New York Times. March 9, 1937. p. 6. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-11-11.
- ^ "Japan Emperor's Cousin Visits Berkeley School". Oakland Tribune. December 4, 1952. p. 53 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
- ^ "Milestones". Time Magazine. May 3, 1937.
- ^ Maynard, Steve (1997-04-01). "Tacoma Buddhists await leader's visit". The News Tribune. p. 20. Retrieved 2025-11-11 – via Newspapers.com.
External links
- A portrait of Ohtani, from the Alameda Japanese American History Project, Densho Digital Repository
- A photograph of Ohtani on her wedding day in 1937, at Getty Images
- A 1954 photograph of the Ohtanis with two men, from the Hoji Shinbun Digital Collection