Unkei Eii: A Pioneer of Kamakura Sculpture Unkei Eii (運慶), born circa 1150 and died c. 1223, stands as one of Japan’s most revered sculptors, marking a pivotal moment in artistic history during the early Kamakura period (1392–1573). He represents a dramatic departure from the refined aesthetic conventions of Kyoto’s aristocratic patronage system, embracing dynamism and naturalism—characteristics that would define the Kei school's lega…