The Shinshu Honganjiha in Japanese Buddhism, or Nishi Honganji, is the earliest Toyo religious institution in Kaohsiung. The 22nd master of the Nishi Honganji Temple Otani Kōzui was born into aristocracy, and was also a famous explorer. He built Shōyō-en Bettei (Villa) and Otani Farm, though both were soon closed due to the war. This became Otani Kōzui’s only remaining villa in Asia. The main building is a mix of brick, wood and steel structure with an exterior decorated with green tones. The design integrates Japanese-style living space with Western-style public spaces, and is a representation of Japanese-Western Eclectic Architecture. An open plan interior emphasizes functionality, with an asymmetrical yet balanced and detailed facade. The interior boasts a small courtyard, preserving the only Nishirokujo rattan clay figure in Taiwan, a symbol of importance representing the Otani family.
新興／逍遙園
日本佛教中的淨土真宗本願寺派，或稱西本願寺派，是高雄地區最早落腳的東洋信仰。曾任西本願寺第22世法主的大谷光瑞，具貴族身份，也是著名的探險家。1935年大谷受總督府之邀來臺，為了發展熱帶產業進行環島視察，隔年決定移居高雄，擇於大港埔興建逍遙園別邸與大谷農園，在1940年正式開園，但不久後即因戰爭緣故而關閉。別邸在戰後曾作為國軍高雄總醫院的院長宿舍，週邊則建起陸軍眷舍「行仁新村」。
這座大谷光瑞在亞洲僅存的一棟別邸，主建築混合了磚、木及鋼骨構造，外牆採用綠色調的裝飾材料，設計上融合了日式居室空間與洋式公共空間，是日本時代末和洋折衷式樣建築中最具代表的案例。空間格局因強調機能性而呈現開放式平面，左右不對稱的立面，卻能透過細節設計在視覺上達成協調，頗為特殊。室內不僅有網代天井的裝飾，更留存全臺唯一的西六條藤紋泥塑，是西本願寺大谷家的重要象徵。
文／陳坤毅
圖／高雄市政府文化局