The enso, or “Zen circle,” is one of the most prevalent images of Zen art, and it has become a symbol of the clean and strong Zen aesthetic—to the point where one sees ensos on everything from screensavers to restaurant menus to print and web advertising. Regardless of how it is interpreted, the enso  is an expression of the mind of the artist. It is said that the state of the practitioner can be clearly read in the manner of execution of an enso.

Audrey Yoshiko Seo brings together a collection of the best examples of enso art to show the wonderful variety of the form and its variations, from the seventeenth century to the present. Each piece occupies an entire page, with commentary on the facing page. Seo’s commentary focuses on the meaning of the art and the historical context in which it was brushed, and provides analysis of each artist’s technique. Also included are biographies of the artists—many of whom are important Japanese Zen teachers.