Home / Kiss-Cut Stickers / Unkoku Tōeki - Monk Zhaozhou and Dog, with Geese and Mynah - first half 17th century v2 - STICKER Vinyl Kiss-Cut Decal
  • Triptych of hanging scrolls showing a black bird on a plum branch, a seated sage and a pair of ducks by reeds.
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Unkoku Tōeki - Monk Zhaozhou and Dog, with Geese and Mynah - first half 17th century v2 - STICKER Vinyl Kiss-Cut Decal

Unkoku Tōeki - Monk Zhaozhou and Dog, with Geese and Mynah - first half 17th century v2 - STICKER Vinyl Kiss-Cut Decal

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$2.49 USD
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Unkoku Tōeki - Monk Zhaozhou and Dog, with Geese and Mynah - first half 17th century v2 - STICKER Vinyl Kiss-Cut Decal

This ink painting triptych by Unkoku Tōeki shows the Zen master Zhaozhou Congshen with a dog at its centre, framed by hanging scrolls of birds.

Visual Elements & Composition

The work is built as a vertical triptych of tall rectangular panels. The central scene holds the seated, elderly sage in robes beside the dog, and the monochrome ink black of the figures anchors the eye. The flanking panels carry a black bird perched on a plum blossom branch, a pair of ducks, and reeds, all rendered in light colour against a parchment cream ground. Ochre brocade and a dark olive mount frame the set, and a small figurine on a box adds a quiet detail to the composition.

Meaning & Symbolism

The central subject is the koan in which a monk asks Zhaozhou whether a dog has Buddha-nature. He answers "Wu" (Mu), meaning nothingness or non-existence. In Chan and Zen training, this exchange is a teaching tool that breaks logical dualism and aims at direct insight into the nature of reality. The painting captures that moment and invites meditation on the limits of language and the emptiness of sorting existence into categories. The birds balance the philosophical centre with naturalistic studies.

Unkoku Tōeki was a prominent painter of the early Edo period and a member of the Unkoku school. Following his father Tōgan, he worked in the ink-wash tradition shaped by Muromachi aesthetics. This set reflects the intellectual rigour and religious devotion of 17th-century Japanese artistic circles, where Zen philosophy and monochrome painting were closely intertwined.

Made for the Sticker Surface

A kiss-cut sticker is cut to the outline of its own artwork, so the monk, the dog and the birds sit on the surface without a border around them. The design suits smooth, flat surfaces such as laptops, journals and windows, and it works well as indoor decor, where a small piece of Zen painting can be seen up close every day.

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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.