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Kitagawa Utamaro - Tree cricket (Matsumushi); Firefly (Hotaru), from the Picture Book of Crawling Creatures - 1788 - STICKER Vinyl Kiss-Cut Decal

Kitagawa Utamaro - Tree cricket (Matsumushi); Firefly (Hotaru), from the Picture Book of Crawling Creatures - 1788 - STICKER Vinyl Kiss-Cut Decal

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Kitagawa Utamaro - Tree cricket (Matsumushi); Firefly (Hotaru), from the Picture Book of Crawling Creatures - 1788 - STICKER Vinyl Kiss-Cut Decal

This design takes a single moment from Kitagawa Utamaro's 1788 woodblock print, where a tree cricket and a firefly rest among grass stems in a quiet, observant scene.

Visual Elements & Composition

The palette is the restrained ukiyo-e range of grey, charcoal, cream and rust red. Grasses with seed heads rise through the frame, and the insects sit on the stems with the precision Utamaro was known for. A moth clings to a grass plume at the edge of the composition. The print is laid out as a vertical rectangle within a two-page album-style format, and the characters 松虫 (matsumushi) and 酒楽斎 appear within the image itself.

Meaning & Symbolism

The tree cricket and firefly belong to the Edo-period interest in seasonal insects, when identifying and sketching small creatures was a form of natural history as much as art. Utamaro's Picture Book of Crawling Creatures pairs close observation with the poetic habit of tying each insect to a season and a feeling. The matsumushi is a voice of autumn evenings, and the hotaru marks summer nights, so the pairing reads as a study of time passing through the natural world.

Why This Sticker Works

A kiss-cut sticker is cut to its own outline, so the cricket, the grass and the firefly become the shape of the object itself rather than sitting inside a border. The fine linework of the insects holds up at close range, where the viewer is meant to lean in and look, just as Utamaro intended for readers of the album.

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Bulk Discounts Available

These discounts apply to all Kiss-Cut Stickers.

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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.