Giant 'Samurai' Cleaning Dam Art, Drawn on Matsuda River Dam as a Canvas to Commemorate its 30th Anniversary, is Finally Complete!
Kärcher Japan has completed a massive 'Samurai' artwork on the Matsuda River Dam in Tochigi Prefecture to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Created by artist Klaus Dauven using a 'reverse graffiti' technique with high-pressure washers, the project visualizes the dam's mission to protect the region and aims to become a new tourist attraction.
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- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 20:00
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Kärcher Japan (HQ: Yokohama, Kanagawa; President: Gen Hikino), the Japanese subsidiary of the world's largest cleaning equipment manufacturer, Germany's Kärcher, has completed a giant 'Samurai' art on the dam wall on Friday, April 10th. The project, 'BRING BACK THE SAMURAI Powered by Kärcher,' began on Monday, March 23, 2026, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Matsuda River Dam's completion in Matsuda-cho, Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture. The cleaning work took approximately three weeks.
'BRING BACK THE SAMURAI Powered by Kärcher,' themed 'Bringing the Samurai of the Past into the Present,' features artist Klaus Dauven, making his return for the first time since 2008. Inspired by the traditional event 'Setsubun Yoroi Toshikoshi,' he expressed the 'Samurai' as protectors of people. This not only commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Matsuda River Dam but also visualizes the dam's 'mission to protect the region,' contributing to regional revitalization as a new tourist asset that communicates historical value to the world.
About the Matsuda River Dam 'BRING BACK THE SAMURAI Powered by Kärcher'
The Matsuda River Dam Reverse Graffiti Project 'BRING BACK THE SAMURAI Powered by Kärcher' is a project celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Matsuda River Dam's completion. It is a grand endeavor to carve history onto the dam wall through a cleaning process that seems to reverse time, using the 'reverse graffiti' technique of scraping away the dirt (patina) that is a testament to the passage of time.
Artist Klaus Dauven, responsible for creating the motif design, focused on the unchanging humanity embodied in Ashikaga's traditional event, 'Setsubun Yoroi Toshikoshi.' Based on the oldest records, dating back approximately 750 years, the figure of the 'Samurai,' who protects loved ones and stands by the community, is revived on the giant dam.
By discovering the image of the samurai from the oldest existing records originating in Ashikaga about 750 years ago and reviving it on the giant dam, we will strongly promote the region's tourism assets and contribute to regional revitalization.
The Process to Completion of the Matsuda River Dam Reverse Graffiti Project 'BRING BACK THE SAMURAI Powered by Kärcher'
▼Step 1 [Surveying and Point Marking]
Based on an elevation drawing with the motif laid out, the actual dam wall is accurately surveyed using the latest equipment such as lasers. Based on the survey results, points for the outline are marked through the teamwork of the cleaning and survey teams. While previous dam art projects averaged 1,000 to 1,500 points, this art required about 2,055 points, a considerably larger number, to express the details.
▼Step 2 [Outlining the Motif]
Next, the motif's outline is traced along the points marked based on the survey results. Faced with the giant wall, it's difficult to see the whole picture, so the outline is carefully and accurately drawn with the nozzle of a high-pressure washer while referencing the drawings at hand, completing the underdrawing for the dam art.
▼Step 3 [Cleaning]
Following the completed outline, the cleaning team washes the dam wall with high-pressure washers. The 'Samurai' is depicted by the contrast with the areas where dirt has been removed. Since it cannot be undone once removed and no mistakes are allowed, the cleaning work is performed with the utmost care, drawing on years of achievement and experience to ensure details are accurately expressed.
Comment from Artist Klaus Dauven
I created this dam art at the Matsuda River Dam in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture, in collaboration with Kärcher for the first time in 18 years. For this motif design, I focused on the samurai that appear in Ashikaga City's traditional events. They are not just heroes; they have contemplative expressions as if gazing at life and death, and I was strongly drawn to that image. By partially cleaning the moss that has accumulated over about 20 years, I have depicted the faces of four particularly impressive samurai on a giant scale. It is a great joy to be able to evoke memories of the distant past into the present and express universal emotions through this technique of reverse graffiti.
Comment from Nick Heyden, Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG
The reverse graffiti project at Matsuda River Dam is finally complete. The entire team is proud to have achieved such a wonderful result with artist Klaus Dauven. The most difficult part of this work was the process of drawing the motif's outline on the giant wall. We were meticulous in connecting over 2,000 survey points accurately and faithfully reproducing the delicate 'facial expressions' intended by the artist. The effort was well worth it, as the final result is breathtakingly beautiful and magnificent.
Comment from Hiroshi Kameyama, Section Chief, Sand and Water Resources Division, Land Development Department, Tochigi Prefecture
I would like to express my gratitude to Kärcher Japan for creating such a powerful dam art to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Matsuda River Dam's completion. Just as samurai protect people, the dam protects the safety of the region. I believe the expressions of the samurai depicted this time represent the strong will to continue protecting the region's safety. I hope this dam art will be an opportunity for many people to visit Tochigi Prefecture and Ashikaga City, experience the charm of the region, and also learn about the role and appeal of dams.
About Matsuda River Dam
The Matsuda River Dam was planned as part of the Matsuda River Comprehensive Development Project. Its objectives are to mitigate flood damage along the Matsuda River, stabilize existing water rights, conserve the river environment, and secure a water supply for Ashikaga City. The implementation plan survey began in fiscal year 1981, construction started in fiscal year 1985, and it was completed in fiscal year 1995 with a total project cost of approximately 13.5 billion yen. It is a gravity-type concrete multipurpose dam.
High-Pressure Washer HD 9/23 G
・Used in Step 2 for outlining and Step 3 for cleaning.
・An engine-powered, high-power commercial cold-water high-pressure washer that does not require a power source. It offers excellent mobility and is suitable for tough sites.
Product Page
eco!Booster TR 050
・Used in Step 3 for cleaning.
・A high-pressure washer nozzle with a wide cleaning width at the discharge end. Efficiently cleans large areas.
Product Page
'BRING BACK THE SAMURAI Powered by Kärcher,' themed 'Bringing the Samurai of the Past into the Present,' features artist Klaus Dauven, making his return for the first time since 2008. Inspired by the traditional event 'Setsubun Yoroi Toshikoshi,' he expressed the 'Samurai' as protectors of people. This not only commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Matsuda River Dam but also visualizes the dam's 'mission to protect the region,' contributing to regional revitalization as a new tourist asset that communicates historical value to the world.
About the Matsuda River Dam 'BRING BACK THE SAMURAI Powered by Kärcher'
The Matsuda River Dam Reverse Graffiti Project 'BRING BACK THE SAMURAI Powered by Kärcher' is a project celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Matsuda River Dam's completion. It is a grand endeavor to carve history onto the dam wall through a cleaning process that seems to reverse time, using the 'reverse graffiti' technique of scraping away the dirt (patina) that is a testament to the passage of time.
Artist Klaus Dauven, responsible for creating the motif design, focused on the unchanging humanity embodied in Ashikaga's traditional event, 'Setsubun Yoroi Toshikoshi.' Based on the oldest records, dating back approximately 750 years, the figure of the 'Samurai,' who protects loved ones and stands by the community, is revived on the giant dam.
By discovering the image of the samurai from the oldest existing records originating in Ashikaga about 750 years ago and reviving it on the giant dam, we will strongly promote the region's tourism assets and contribute to regional revitalization.
The Process to Completion of the Matsuda River Dam Reverse Graffiti Project 'BRING BACK THE SAMURAI Powered by Kärcher'
▼Step 1 [Surveying and Point Marking]
Based on an elevation drawing with the motif laid out, the actual dam wall is accurately surveyed using the latest equipment such as lasers. Based on the survey results, points for the outline are marked through the teamwork of the cleaning and survey teams. While previous dam art projects averaged 1,000 to 1,500 points, this art required about 2,055 points, a considerably larger number, to express the details.
▼Step 2 [Outlining the Motif]
Next, the motif's outline is traced along the points marked based on the survey results. Faced with the giant wall, it's difficult to see the whole picture, so the outline is carefully and accurately drawn with the nozzle of a high-pressure washer while referencing the drawings at hand, completing the underdrawing for the dam art.
▼Step 3 [Cleaning]
Following the completed outline, the cleaning team washes the dam wall with high-pressure washers. The 'Samurai' is depicted by the contrast with the areas where dirt has been removed. Since it cannot be undone once removed and no mistakes are allowed, the cleaning work is performed with the utmost care, drawing on years of achievement and experience to ensure details are accurately expressed.
Comment from Artist Klaus Dauven
I created this dam art at the Matsuda River Dam in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture, in collaboration with Kärcher for the first time in 18 years. For this motif design, I focused on the samurai that appear in Ashikaga City's traditional events. They are not just heroes; they have contemplative expressions as if gazing at life and death, and I was strongly drawn to that image. By partially cleaning the moss that has accumulated over about 20 years, I have depicted the faces of four particularly impressive samurai on a giant scale. It is a great joy to be able to evoke memories of the distant past into the present and express universal emotions through this technique of reverse graffiti.
Comment from Nick Heyden, Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG
The reverse graffiti project at Matsuda River Dam is finally complete. The entire team is proud to have achieved such a wonderful result with artist Klaus Dauven. The most difficult part of this work was the process of drawing the motif's outline on the giant wall. We were meticulous in connecting over 2,000 survey points accurately and faithfully reproducing the delicate 'facial expressions' intended by the artist. The effort was well worth it, as the final result is breathtakingly beautiful and magnificent.
Comment from Hiroshi Kameyama, Section Chief, Sand and Water Resources Division, Land Development Department, Tochigi Prefecture
I would like to express my gratitude to Kärcher Japan for creating such a powerful dam art to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Matsuda River Dam's completion. Just as samurai protect people, the dam protects the safety of the region. I believe the expressions of the samurai depicted this time represent the strong will to continue protecting the region's safety. I hope this dam art will be an opportunity for many people to visit Tochigi Prefecture and Ashikaga City, experience the charm of the region, and also learn about the role and appeal of dams.
About Matsuda River Dam
The Matsuda River Dam was planned as part of the Matsuda River Comprehensive Development Project. Its objectives are to mitigate flood damage along the Matsuda River, stabilize existing water rights, conserve the river environment, and secure a water supply for Ashikaga City. The implementation plan survey began in fiscal year 1981, construction started in fiscal year 1985, and it was completed in fiscal year 1995 with a total project cost of approximately 13.5 billion yen. It is a gravity-type concrete multipurpose dam.
High-Pressure Washer HD 9/23 G
・Used in Step 2 for outlining and Step 3 for cleaning.
・An engine-powered, high-power commercial cold-water high-pressure washer that does not require a power source. It offers excellent mobility and is suitable for tough sites.
Product Page
eco!Booster TR 050
・Used in Step 3 for cleaning.
・A high-pressure washer nozzle with a wide cleaning width at the discharge end. Efficiently cleans large areas.
Product Page