Kenkō Shōkei (sekkei): The Silent Witness of Kamakura’s Zen Landscape Kenkō Shōkei, also known as sekkei, stands as a pivotal figure in the artistic landscape of late 15th and early 16th century Japan—a period marked by profound spiritual introspection and burgeoning artistic innovation. Born in Kamakura around 1473, he emerged from the influential Kenchōji temple complex, where he served as priest and artist for much of his life, shaping a distinctive style that embodies the essence of Zen Buddhism’s reverence for nature. His legacy resides not merely in individual paintings but in establis…