Berchemia racemosa, commonly known as paniculous supplejack, grows in a bed of moss inside one of Muarse's terrariums.<br />
Berchemia racemosa, commonly known as paniculous supplejack, grows in a bed of moss inside one of Muarse's terrariums.
Aki Murase
A Japanese white pine at the center of a miniature Japanese landscape.
A Japanese white pine at the center of a miniature Japanese landscape.
Aki Murase
At Re:Planter, Murase's home and atelier, nearly two dozen terrariums of various sizes hang from the ceiling. Inside each glass orb he has curated a miniaturized and manicured landscape.
At Re:Planter, Murase's home and atelier, nearly two dozen terrariums of various sizes hang from the ceiling. Inside each glass orb he has curated a miniaturized and manicured landscape.
Aki Murase
Murase's terrariums can be found in cafes, restaurants and schools across Japan.
Murase's terrariums can be found in cafes, restaurants and schools across Japan.
Aki Murase
Murase opens a terrarium in his studio north of Kyoto. Murase's terrariums are low maintenance and only need to be watered once or twice a week, depending on the plants used.
Murase opens a terrarium in his studio north of Kyoto. Murase's terrariums are low maintenance and only need to be watered once or twice a week, depending on the plants used.
Aki Murase
"I'm not trying to make the perfect bonsai or landscape," Murase said. "Instead I want old trees and plants to come to life again in my artwork."
"I'm not trying to make the perfect bonsai or landscape," Murase said. "Instead I want old trees and plants to come to life again in my artwork."
Aki Murase
Murase's grandfather was an amateur bonsai enthusiast, so the seeds of his passion were planted at a young age.
Murase's grandfather was an amateur bonsai enthusiast, so the seeds of his passion were planted at a young age.
Aki Murase
Murase has been invited to put on live planting shows throughout Japan, as well as Beijing and Paris.
Murase has been invited to put on live planting shows throughout Japan, as well as Beijing and Paris.
Aki Murase
"Murase's pieces are modern-day 'tsuboniwa' -- those mini-gardens you find inside Kyoto traditional townhouses," said art collector and author Alex Kerr.
"Murase's pieces are modern-day 'tsuboniwa' -- those mini-gardens you find inside Kyoto traditional townhouses," said art collector and author Alex Kerr.
Aki Murase
In one of Murase's more unconventional creations, a fern grows out of a discarded circuit board.
In one of Murase's more unconventional creations, a fern grows out of a discarded circuit board.
Aki Murase
Murase takes inspiration -- as well as materials -- from unlikely places. His studio is home to several TV monitors with plants sprouting through the screens.
Murase takes inspiration -- as well as materials -- from unlikely places. His studio is home to several TV monitors with plants sprouting through the screens.
Aki Murase