Ensō, 19th century
Taidō Sōtōexpand_more
Hanging scroll; ink on paperexpand_more
Gift of the Friends of the Institute's Teahouse Fundexpand_more 2001.267.2
On View in Gallery 221expand_more
Ensō means “mark of a circle.” In Zen Buddhism, a circle brushed in a single stroke represents the universe, perfection, and the enlightened mind. As the brush deposits ink, the stroke becomes scratchier, leaving the circle incomplete. This imperfection thus reflects the inevitable discrepancy between the ideal and reality. A skilled calligrapher, Taidō Sō tō was the 444th abbot of Daitoku-ji, one of 14 head temples of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism in Kyoto. Here, he accompanied the circle with a Chinese poem: With a heart permeated with innocence The virtuous dragon walks alone.
Details
- Title
- Ensō
- Artist Life
- 1776 - 1836
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2001.267.2
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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