This audio is generated by AI, so pronunciation and expressions may not be fully accurate. The narration is only in English.
Murasame says his fascination with Japanese history began in middle school, when he would pore over history books. He was especially drawn to the Warring States period (15th century to early 17th century) warlord Uesugi Kenshin.
"In his battles with Takeda Shingen, even when he was at a disadvantage, he refused to attack from behind. When Shingen was in need, he sent him salt despite being his enemy. And when Shingen died, he shed tears of grief. That struck me as the true spirit of Bushido—what being a samurai really means."
He wanted something completely different from his hometown, his country, and even Europe itself. The more he imagined Japan's unique culture, the stronger his desire grew to experience it firsthand and truly become part of it. So, right after finishing high school, he made the bold decision to move to Japan.
"When I started looking for work, I wanted something that really connected me to the essence of Japan—something rooted in its history and traditions. I was also fascinated by the idea of an apprenticeship, where one learns directly under a master. As I kept researching, I discovered the world of gardening. That's when it hit me: Japanese gardens are the perfect place to experience a culture that has carried on since the time of the samurai."
At first, Murasame held a string of short-term jobs, spending his days performing menial tasks such as cleaning. But every day brought something new—seeing Japan's native trees, how they were arranged, and how pruning could shape them into harmony with rocks and sand to create an entire world. It was all so new to him, exciting, and overwhelming at the same time.
"I started right in the middle of summer, and under that blazing sun, I didn't even know when to take breaks. On my very first day, I ended up collapsing from heatstroke. But honestly, the sense of accomplishment, the challenge, the satisfaction, and just the pure fun of it all outweighed the physical struggle. The longer I kept at it, the more hooked I became—and before I knew it, I felt this was my true calling."
Murasame kept asking every master gardener he met to take him on as an apprentice, only to be turned down time and again. At last, after pleading with one of them, he was accepted. Five years of training later, at the age of 26, he became a Japanese citizen.
Now working independently and also active as an actor on television and stage, Murasame shares what he finds most captivating about Japanese gardens.
"Japanese gardens are filled with the beauty of nature itself. Whether large or small, they're shaped by human hands, but it feels more like we're just giving nature a gentle helping hand. They never seem artificial; instead, they reveal nature in its purest form. The seasons flow naturally into the space—the moss spreading, the stones shifting in color, the trunks growing thicker, the branches and leaves filling out. All of this lets you sense the passage of time, and simply standing there feels like having a quiet conversation with nature before you. To me, that's the essence of wabi sabi (the Japanese idea of finding beauty in impermanence and imperfection). It's something Western gardens don't really offer, and it's one of the things I love most about them."
He says that gardens in Tokyo, right in the heart of a huge metropolis, have a unique charm you cannot find anywhere else.
"In a word, it's the duality—you can step into Japanese gardens of all sizes and feel surrounded by nature, even while you're in the middle of a city of skyscrapers. Throughout central Tokyo, you'll also find numerous shrines and temples, each with its own unique history, where the natural setting is carefully preserved. Many of the city's great gardens date back to the Edo period (1603-1868), including Rikugien Gardens, Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens, and Hama-rikyu Gardens. I'm also very fond of the garden of Denboin at Asakusa's Sensoji Temple. It's usually closed to the public, but on special openings, you can step inside and see the Tokyo Skytree rising beyond the weeping cherry trees and the five-story pagoda. That striking contrast—the unexpected beauty of old and new side by side—is something you can only experience in Tokyo."
As Murasame continued his work in Japan, he found himself thinking more and more about allemansrätten (the right of public access). In Sweden, this long-standing legal tradition affords everyone the freedom to enjoy nature, regardless of who owns the land.
"As long as you don't cause trouble or damage to the landowner, you're free to enter someone else's property—whether it's an open field, the grounds of a large estate, a forest, or even the mountains—and you can freely pick berries, mushrooms, and more. The idea is that nature isn't something to be owned, but something to be shared and cherished by all, with everyone having an equal right to enjoy it. In Sweden, this right is even guaranteed by the Constitution."
Murasame admits that guaranteeing such rights in a metropolis as vast as Tokyo would be difficult. However, he hopes the spirit behind them—the idea of sharing and cherishing nature—can be nurtured in Japan, particularly in Tokyo. It is a value he is determined to uphold in his work as a gardener.
"In Tokyo, for instance, even if someone wants to build their own garden, space in the city center is usually very limited. But as a gardener, I want to keep challenging myself—finding ways to recreate nature in those small spaces, to expand it, and to shape a world of my own within them."
Operating on the concept that envisions green urban development for the next 100 years, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is pushing initiatives to protect, cultivate, and utilize Tokyo's greenery. Through the efforts of both individual citizens and various entities, the aim is to transform Tokyo into a sustainable city that exists in harmony with nature.https://www.seisakukikaku.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/basic-plan/tokyo-greenbiz-advisoryboard
