Kobori Enshū: The Poet Gardener of Edo Japan Kobori Enshū (小堀 遠州, 1579 – march 12, 1647) stands as a singular figure in Japanese art history—a testament to the harmonious blend of aristocratic patronage and artistic innovation during the Tokugawa period. Born into a noble family in Kumamoto, he ascended to prominence not merely through lineage but through an unparalleled dedication to mastering multiple disciplines: garden design, pai…