A Brushstroke of Enlightenment: The Life and Art of Hōrinji Zenchi The late Edo period in Japan (1603-1868) was a time of relative peace, allowing for a flourishing of arts and intellectual pursuits. Within this vibrant cultural landscape emerged Hōrinji Zenchi (1758-1830), a figure whose life seamlessly blended the disciplined world of Sōtō Zen Buddhism with the expressive beauty of calligraphy. Born Emon Zenchi in Saitama, his journ…