Sengai's Ensō - T-Shirt

A minimalist tee featuring an authentic ensō – or Zen circle – by the monk-artist Sengai Gibon (1750-1837). The brushwork’s lively cadence and the playful inscription give this shirt a calm, understated presence you can wear every day.

The design

This design reproduces one of Sengai’s ensō, a single, unbroken circle painted in swift ink stroke. In Zen, the ensō can suggest completeness, impermanence, or the moment when the mind is free to let the body create.

Sengai adds a humorous side inscription that’s often paraphrased as “eat this and have a cup of tea,” likening the circle to a cookie. The juxtaposition is deliberate – profound form, lighthearted note – and characteristic of Sengai’s approach to teaching through accessible imagery. On a shirt, the bold ink ring reads clearly from a distance, while the calligraphy rewards a closer look.

The artist

Sengai Gibon was a Rinzai Zen monk and abbot of Shōfuku-ji in Fukuoka. Active in the late Edo period, he is known for zenga – Zen paintings that use a few spontaneous lines to point beyond words. Sengai favored humor and everyday metaphors to make Zen ideas approachable, leaving works that feel fresh, direct, and generous in spirit.

Why you’ll love it

• Authentic Japanese artwork, faithfully reproduced.
• Pairs well with denim, a light jacket, or a cardigan without shouting.
• A gentle reminder towards mindfulness – or to have a cup of tea with a cookie…
• Great for practice – comfortable for meditation or training.
• Sengai's humorous approach makes for a friendly conversation starter.
• Thoughtful gift – ideal for Zen practitioners, aikido and karate students, art lovers, and Japan enthusiasts.
• Timeless design – a masterpiece of Zen art that will never go out of style.