Garden design is a process that continues even after the garden is complete.
Yusuke (GARDENER)
Yusuke is a gardener with “SOLSO,” an urban landscaping team based in the Kanto region, where he handles garden construction and maintenance. The team meets at their office—which is filled with tools and trucks—and heads out together to their respective job sites. Lately, he’s been primarily responsible for maintaining completed gardens, so he visits clients on a regular basis.
"It's not just about watering—I also repot plants and wash off dirt. I look at the condition of the garden and do whatever maintenance is needed at the time."
A gardener’s job involves getting his hands dirty with water and soil and running around outdoors even on rainy days. Although he usually wears boots, he said he was surprised by how light this pair felt—something you wouldn’t expect just by looking at them.
"They're lighter than I expected. My job involves a lot of physical activity, so heavy shoes really wear me out. Since they're water-repellent, I can wear them without worrying about watering the plants or rainy days."
When you think of Japanese gardeners, the standard image is that of a so-called “craftsman” in traditional work attire, complete with tabi socks and a fanny pouch. Overseas, on the other hand, it’s not uncommon to see gardeners working in the yard wearing faded jeans and boots. At my current workplace, “Sorso,” while we wear a uniform on top, we’re free to choose our own pants. I hear they often pair vintage denim—which they can wear without worrying about getting it dirty—with rugged-looking boots. These boots retain the classic look of traditional work boots while offering the ideal combination of lightness and waterproofing. Without worrying about the weather or the ground beneath their feet, they can devote themselves fully to the garden right in front of them.
