A Life of Serenity: The World of Hōzōbō Shinkai The Edo period (1603-1868) in Japan was a time of relative peace and flourishing arts, and within this vibrant era lived Hōzōbō Shinkai, a Buddhist monk whose ink paintings captured a unique blend of spiritual contemplation and playful observation. Born in Tokyo in 1626, Shinkai’s life remains somewhat shrouded in mystery—details beyond his artistic output are scarce. However, the very n…