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This question is a little abstract as it relates to a piece of art I recently saw in the movie "Babel". For those who have seen the movie and are familiar with various styles of Japanese painting and artists, you may have the info I'm looking for. In the movie, there is a scene of a man's apartment in Japan with his daughter walking in through the front door. On the wall behind her as she enters the living room is a beautiful, yet eloquently simple painting of a semi circle done in black ink. It looks as if it was done in one stroke, starting as a narrow tip and circling into a broader line. I'm unfamiliar with Japanese art but have always admired the eloquent, tranquil beauty it produces. If anyone has any information on this particular style, or even that piece that is featured in the film, I would be greatly appreciated if you do share. Please forgive the obscure nature of this post, I really don't have any other knowledge to help narrow the inquiry down. Thanks in advance for you time.

I found the movie on HBO and watched but could not find the Japanese painting you mentioned. Must have missed it. B

I have not seen the movie, but from your desciption it sounds like an "enso," a type of one-stroke painting in the form of a circle done often by practitioners of Zen Buddhism as a means of meditation. Here is a link to the wikipedia article on enso.

I knew I had this movie somewhere...

Here is a pic of the painting in question, for comments of those in the know.

Thanks for the posts and info. I'm not sure if that's the painting I'm talking about. I'll have to watch the movie again to make sure as I've only seen it once. But as I recall the painting consisted of a single stroke circle. I do like the posted painting though. Anyone recommend a particular vendor to acquire paintings such as these?

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