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Kano Tan'yū - Portrait of Emperor Shennong - 1665 v2 - STICKER Vinyl Kiss-Cut Decal

Kano Tan'yū - Portrait of Emperor Shennong - 1665 v2 - STICKER Vinyl Kiss-Cut Decal

Regular price $2.49 USD
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Kano Tan'yū - Portrait of Emperor Shennong - 1665 v2 - STICKER Vinyl Kiss-Cut Decal

This is a tall hanging-scroll portrait of the legendary Emperor Shennong, the Divine Farmer, rendered in ink and light colour on silk by the Kanō school master Kano Tan'yū in 1665.

Visual Elements & Composition

The composition is a single vertical panel built around one dominant figure: an elderly, bearded sage in loose robes, hands clasped before him. The pale robe and warm tan of the silk sit against soft ink-grey shading, with gold brocade picking out the garment's edges and adding a note of rank. The format is that of a hanging scroll, so the eye travels top to bottom, settling on the calm, upright figure. A dark cloth hair tie anchors the head, and the restrained palette keeps the attention on the face and posture.

Meaning & Symbolism

Shennong is credited in Chinese myth with founding agriculture, herbal medicine and tea. Legend says he tested countless plants to learn their healing properties, often at risk to himself. Tan'yū shows him with the gravity of a primordial monarch and the poise of a scholar, a pairing that reflects the Kanō school's commitment to academic rigour and to Confucian ideals absorbed into a Japanese aesthetic. Painted in the early Edo period for the Tokugawa shogunate, the work treats an ancient benefactor of civilisation as a symbol of the link between human knowledge and the natural world.

Made for the Cut Edge

A kiss-cut sticker follows its own outline, so the silhouette of the sage and his robe becomes the object's shape rather than a rectangle around it. The scroll's vertical rhythm translates naturally to a single cut form, letting the figure stand alone on whatever surface it joins. Collectors of Edo-period painting and fans of Chinese myth will find the portrait reads cleanly at close range.

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Glossy kiss-cut vinyl stickers made for smooth, indoor surfaces — laptops, journals, mirrors, and other finished items. Crisp edges, vivid color, strong hold, and not waterproof.

What “kiss-cut” means: the blade cuts the vinyl layer into the exact shape while leaving the backing liner whole, so pieces separate cleanly and lift off the sheet without tearing. It’s the neatest way to produce shaped stickers and multi-piece sheets.

  • Material: reliable vinyl face with a permanent acrylic adhesive formulated for smooth, non-porous surfaces.
  • Finish: glossy surface that enhances contrast and depth without feeling overly reflective.
  • Printing: eco-solvent inks provide dense color and crisp detail for fine lines and gradients.
  • Use case: intended for indoor environments only — not waterproof. Not recommended for continuous exposure to moisture or dishwashing.
  • Application friendly: easy-peel backing and a liner that releases cleanly to help reduce bubbles and misfeeds during placement.

These stickers perform best on smooth, dust-free surfaces — think laptop lids, sealed notebooks, glass, mirrors, finished shelving and lockers. They’ll stick well where the surface is flat and clean; avoid rough wood, silicone, fabric, and heavily textured paint.

  1. Clean: remove dust and oils with a lint-free cloth. For stubborn grime, use a mild soap and water rinse; let the area dry completely.
  2. Align: peel a corner, position carefully, then press the center down first.
  3. Smooth: work outward from the center with a soft card or a thumb to push air out and ensure the edges set down firmly.

Tip: give the adhesive 24 hours to fully settle before heavy handling. These are not designed for outdoor or wet conditions.

  • Gently dust with a soft, dry cloth, moving from the center outward to avoid scratching the gloss.
  • For light marks, a barely damp microfiber will lift residue — blot, don’t scrub, and dry right away.
  • Avoid bleach, solvents, abrasive pads, and steam; moisture or harsh chemicals can lift edges and fade inks.

Reminder: these stickers are not waterproof. Keep them away from sinks, outdoor exposure, and dishwasher cycles to maintain adhesion and finish.

Sizes are measured across the sticker’s longest side. For example, a 3″ sticker is 3 inches across its largest dimension (height or width, depending on the shape).

The kiss-cut follows the sticker’s outline for a tidy border; complex shapes can show small variances, but the advertised measurement refers to the maximum edge-to-edge length.