Rainbow Enso 

Kazuaki Tanahashi created this enso, or circle, in the style of Zen calligraphy, using vibrant rainbow colors. The brushstrokes, raw and immediate, give the circle a dynamic, living quality. It’s as if we’re witnessing the very moment of its creation. In Zen Buddhism, the enso symbolizes enlightenment, strength, and the universe. Traditionally, it’s rendered in a single, spontaneous brushstroke, often in black ink. Tanahashi’s choice to use a rainbow disrupts this tradition, infusing it with connotations of inclusivity and diversity. Each color, distinct yet unified within the circle, suggests the interconnectedness of all things, challenging fixed meanings. The open circle invites the viewer to complete it, reflecting the Zen concept of emptiness, or "sunyata," where meaning is not fixed but emerges from our interaction with the world. Through its form and color, this work engages us in a play of presence and absence, unity and diversity, tradition and innovation, prompting us to consider how we construct meaning through art and experience.