Celebrating the Life of Japan’s Musical Maestro: Ryuichi Sakamoto
Last month, news broke that the beloved and celebrated composer and producer, Ryuichi Sakamoto, had passed away on March 28th, following a lengthy battle with cancer, at 71 years old.
Kyōju [professor] as he was known to his fans, Sakamoto was a man unbound by creative dogma. Effortlessly combining worlds unbeknownst to each other, his talent as a composer and artist ran deep into his being. Regardless of whether it was experimental techno, house music, orchestral works, video game tracks, or intimate piano pieces, the music that Sakamoto created would always leave listeners with a deep sense of awe. Captivating, emotive, and deeply receptive to the sounds surrounding him, Sakamoto marked himself as one of the most prolific and beautiful musicians of modern Japanese history.
Born in 1952, his interest in music was innate and quickly put him on the path as a student. With a discography spanning 22 solo albums, he collaborated with a wide range of musicians across all genres. He was also the recipient of a BAFTA, an Oscar, a Grammy, and two Golden Globes. Loved by his fans and peers as a humble and passionate musician, he was known for his works in films, as well as his career as an actor and, most of all, his trio band, Yellow Magic Orchestra. It’s comforting to think that he’s finally reunited with his bandmate Yukihiro Takahashi, who passed earlier this year.
His contributions to the world of art and music have spanned decades - his legacy will live on forever. His impact was enormous not only in the music industry but also in the film and animation world. Sakamoto leaves behind mourning fans, friends, and family worldwide, but his spirit lives on through his immense contribution to music.
In the statement released by his agency, it included one of Sakamoto's favorite quotes:
“Ars longa, vita brevis [Art is long, life is short].”
