Inspired by a nostalgic Japanese toy, the new hand-painted mural blends cultural heritage with Brooklyn’s vibrant street art scene.
Brooklyn’s Dumbo neighborhood just got brighter. Japanese-born, New York–based artist Masaki Hanahara has unveiled Water Game, a large-scale mural at 108 Adams Street, hand-painted by Colossal Media for the Dumbo Business Improvement District.
Drawing inspiration from the Japanese water game toys of the 1970s — once beloved in both Japan and the U.S. — Hanahara reimagines a playful childhood object as a vibrant work of public art. For the artist, Water Game is both personal and universal, bridging his heritage with his life in New York.
Unlike his earlier work influenced by the quiet restraint of Japanese aesthetics, this mural explodes with energy. Colors swirl, lines ripple, and the piece captures the restless dynamism of the city itself. “A mural is not just a wall painting; it is a medium that visually conveys the history, culture, and story of a city,” says Hanahara.
“A mural is not just a wall painting; it is a medium that visually conveys the history, culture, and story of a city,” says Hanahara.
The project was realized with the craftsmanship of Colossal Media, a fixture in New York’s mural scene since 2004. “We couldn’t be more excited to help bring this long-lasting visual landmark to the Dumbo neighborhood,” notes Jen Edelberg, EVP of Growth at Colossal.
Community leaders echo the excitement. “Murals and public art are at the core of this creative community,” says Alexandria Sica, president of the Dumbo BID. NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez adds, “Vibrant public artworks like Water Game help make our streets just as lively and colorful as the New Yorkers who frequent them.”
Blending intricate details with the golden ratio — a nod to traditional Japanese art principles — Hanahara has created a mural that transcends boundaries.
Water Game celebrates joy, nostalgia, and cultural exchange, perfectly at home in Dumbo’s evolving artistic landscape.
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