Ensō Stone

An ensō (円相) is a circular form common in Japanese ink painting (sumi-e). The ensō is meant to be created with just one gestural brushstroke, symbolic of physical grace and mental clarity. The ensō exemplifies the elements of wabi-sabi, a Japanese aesthetic rooted in Zen Buddhism. Some of these elements, or concepts, include fukinsei (asymmetry, irregularity), kanso (simplicity), shizen (unpretentiousness), yugen (profound grace), datsuzoku (freedom), and seijaku (tranquility).

It’s a lot to ask of a rock! But this one, with its perfect ensō, serves nobly. The stone is a Precambrian gneiss, rounded in ancient rivers, then rolled by the sea. It is a reminder that wisdom and clarity take time, and hard work. You can read more about the ancient traditions of “viewing stones” in the Journal section of this website.

4.25” x 3.25”