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Utagawa Kunisada 歌川国貞 - The Actor Ichikawa Ichizō III as Nozarashi Gosuke, likened to Shi Jin the Nine Dragoned - 1854, 7th month) STICKER Vinyl Kiss-Cut Decal

Utagawa Kunisada 歌川国貞 - The Actor Ichikawa Ichizō III as Nozarashi Gosuke, likened to Shi Jin the Nine Dragoned - 1854, 7th month) STICKER Vinyl Kiss-Cut Decal

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Utagawa Kunisada 歌川国貞 - The Actor Ichikawa Ichizō III as Nozarashi Gosuke, likened to Shi Jin the Nine Dragoned - 1854, 7th month) STICKER Vinyl Kiss-Cut Decal

This 1854 ukiyo-e portrait by Utagawa Kunisada shows the kabuki actor Ichikawa Ichizō III in the role of Nozarashi Gosuke, posed as a heroic figure of the stage.

Visual Elements & Composition

The print is built as a tall vertical panel dominated by charcoal and indigo, with violet and cream filling the robes and vermilion accenting the scene. The actor's muscular figure, marked with a dragon tattoo, sits at the centre, wrapped in a purple and white patterned robe. A sword with a green scabbard cuts diagonally through the composition, and pine branches frame the background. Rectangular cartouche labels hold the printed text, including the characters 當世好男子傳, which give the image its title panel.

Meaning & Symbolism

The likeness to Shi Jin, one of the heroes of the Chinese novel Water Margin, is the key to the image. Shi Jin is known as the Nine Dragoned, and the dragon tattoo links the kabuki actor to that legendary outlaw, so the viewer reads the performer as both a stage role and a literary hero. Kunisada, the most prolific ukiyo-e designer of his day, made such celebrity portraits for a theatre-loving Edo audience, and the 1854 date places this print in the mid-nineteenth-century flowering of kabuki prints.

Why It Works as a Sticker

Ukiyo-e portraits rely on strong outlines and flat blocks of colour, which translate cleanly to a cut-to-shape format. A kiss-cut sticker follows the outline of the figure and its panel, so the dragon-tattooed actor and his sword stand on their own once the surround is removed. It suits collectors of Japanese prints and fans of kabuki, and it places a piece of Edo theatre culture on whatever surface it joins.

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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.