Ryuichi Sakamoto - The Sound of a Borderless World

courtesy of Kab Inc. / Janus Films

Ryuichi Sakamoto was a pioneer who transcended musical boundaries, blending East and West, traditional and modern, digital and organic. Over his five-decade-long career, Sakamoto redefined what it means to be a global artist, using music as a universal language to connect people and cultures across the world. His work with Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) revolutionized electronic music, and his innovative film scores earned him critical acclaim, including an Academy Award.

Beyond his artistic achievements, Sakamoto was a passionate advocate for environmental issues and human rights, using his platform to raise awareness about the pressing issues of his time. This article delves into the life and legacy of Ryuichi Sakamoto, exploring the key moments and works that defined his career.

The Roots of a Musical Pioneer

Born on January 17, 1952, in Tokyo’s Nakano ward, Ryuichi Sakamoto grew up in a home where art and literature were as much a part of the fabric of daily life as was breathing. His father, a literary editor, and his mother, a hat designer, instilled in him an appreciation for culture and creativity from a young age. Imagine being six years old, sitting in front of a piano for the first time, your tiny fingers touching the keys, and feeling the vibrations of sound travel through your body. That was Sakamoto’s beginning. By the age of ten, he was already composing music, a child prodigy in the making.

Early on, Sakamoto was fascinated by the music of Debussy and Bach, finding a unique kinship with Debussy’s work, which, as he once pointed out, was itself influenced by Asian music. This global loop of inspiration—Asian sounds influencing Debussy, who in turn influenced Sakamoto—became a recurring theme in his career, marking him as a true citizen of the world in musical terms. As he grew older, his tastes expanded to include jazz greats like John Coltrane and the revolutionary rock of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, adding layers to his already diverse musical foundation.

A young Ryuichi Sakamoto│courtesy of 月刊カドカワ

From Academia to the Birth of Yellow Magic Orchestra

Sakamoto’s formal education at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music was where he honed his craft, delving deep into the study of both Western classical and various ethnic music traditions. He was immersing himself in the world of sound, exploring how different cultures express themselves through music. He learned about ethnomusicology, a field that explores the social and cultural aspects of music and dance in different cultures, which played a crucial role in shaping his global outlook on music.

In 1978, Sakamoto, along with Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi, formed Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO), a band that would forever change the face of electronic music. YMO was pioneering a new musical language that combined Western pop with Japanese electronic sounds.

Their self-titled debut album, released the same year, was an instant hit and laid the groundwork for what would become the synth-pop genre. With tracks like Computer Game, YMO captured the imagination of a generation and took electronic music from the underground clubs of Tokyo to the world stage.

One of the things that made YMO so revolutionary was their use of technology. At a time when synthesizers were still a novelty, Sakamoto and his bandmates saw the potential these machines had to create entirely new sounds. They were crafting a sonic future that would eventually influence everyone from hip-hop producers to techno DJs.

Yellow Magic Orchestra, Ryuichi Sakamoto (left), Yukihiro Takahashi (mid), Haruomi Hosono (right)│picture by Masayoshi Sukita

The Birth of a Solo Career and Film Scoring

While YMO was taking the world by storm, Sakamoto was also exploring his solo ambitions. His debut solo album, Thousand Knives of Ryuichi Sakamoto (1978), was an eclectic mix of electronic experimentation and traditional Japanese music. This album is often seen as a precursor to his later work; it was here that Sakamoto first began to blend the old with the new, creating something that felt both timeless and cutting-edge. For example, the track Island of Woods attempts to emulate the sounds of nature using synthesized sounds, foreshadowing his lifelong interest in the natural world and its relationship to technology.

As YMO’s fame grew, so did Sakamoto’s desire to branch out into new areas, particularly film. His first major foray into film scoring came with Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983), a project that also saw him stepping in front of the camera alongside David Bowie. The film, which deals with the complex relationships between prisoners and captors in a Japanese POW camp, gave Sakamoto a chance to explore his love of film and his belief in music as a powerful emotional language.

The score for Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence is perhaps one of Sakamoto’s most famous works. The main theme is hauntingly beautiful, combining electronic textures with traditional Japanese instrumentation in a way that feels both ancient and modern. This was Sakamoto at his best, using music to transcend cultural boundaries and speak to universal human experiences.

Ryuichi Sakamoto’s Key Albums

Sakamoto’s discography is a testament to his versatility and his restless creative spirit. Below are some of the most significant albums that showcase his evolution as an artist.

Thousand Knives of Ryuichi Sakamoto - 1978

His debut solo album was a bold statement, blending electronic music with traditional Japanese sounds. It was here that Sakamoto first began to explore the idea of using technology to emulate and enhance natural sounds, something that would become a recurring theme in his work.

B-2 Unit - 1980

This album was a radical departure from anything Sakamoto had done before. Recorded in London and heavily influenced by the post-punk and new wave scenes he encountered there, B-2 Unit was full of experimental electronic sounds and textures. The track Riot in Lagos is often cited as one of the earliest examples of electro-funk, influencing a generation of electronic musicians and even being credited as a precursor to hip-hop.

Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence - 1983

This soundtrack is a masterpiece in its own right, with the main theme becoming one of Sakamoto’s most enduring compositions. The score blends electronic elements with traditional Japanese instruments, creating a soundscape that perfectly captures the emotional complexity of the film.

The Last Emperor - 1987

Winning an Oscar for Best Original Score, this soundtrack was a significant achievement for Sakamoto, cementing his reputation as one of the most innovative composers in the world. The score combines traditional Chinese music with Western orchestral arrangements, reflecting the film’s themes of cultural collision and transformation.

async - 2017

This album is perhaps Sakamoto’s most personal work, recorded after he was diagnosed with cancer. It’s a reflection on life, death, and everything in between, combining found sounds, ambient textures, and minimalist piano pieces to create a deeply meditative listening experience. async is a testament to Sakamoto’s ability to turn even the most personal struggles into universal art.

Contributions to Film - The Revenant and Kaibutsu

Sakamoto’s later career saw him return to film scoring with renewed vigor and creativity. One of his most notable projects was the score for Alejandro González Iñárritu’s The Revenant (2015). The film, set in the early 19th century American frontier, required a score that could convey both the stark brutality of the wilderness and the inner turmoil of its protagonist, played by Leonardo DiCaprio. Sakamoto collaborated with Alva Noto and Bryce Dessner to create a hauntingly atmospheric soundtrack that uses minimalism and natural soundscapes to great effect. The music captures the harshness of the natural world while also reflecting the spiritual journey of the main character, blending electronic elements with orchestral arrangements in a way that is both innovative and deeply moving.

Another significant project was his work on Kaibutsu (also known as Monster) in 2023, a Japanese film directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda. This project was particularly moving as it was one of Sakamoto’s last works before his passing. The score for Kaibutsu is noted for its subtlety and emotional depth, using minimal piano pieces and ambient textures to underscore the film’s exploration of human relationships and societal issues. It serves as a beautiful testament to Sakamoto’s ability to use music to enhance storytelling, conveying complex emotions without overwhelming the narrative.

Experimentation and Environmental Activism

Throughout his career, Sakamoto was never content to stay within the confines of any one genre or medium. He collaborated with a wide range of artists, from David Sylvian to Alva Noto, constantly pushing the boundaries of what music could be. His collaborations often defied easy categorization, blending elements of jazz, electronic, classical, and pop music in ways that felt entirely new and fresh.

In addition to his work as a musician, Sakamoto was also a committed environmental activist. He used his platform to speak out on issues like climate change and nuclear disarmament, often reflecting these themes in his music . For instance, his 2007 album Chasm was inspired by his concerns about the state of the world and featured songs that dealt with topics like war, environmental destruction, and the dangers of technology.

A Lasting Legacy

Ryuichi Sakamoto’s passing in 2023 marked the end of an era, but his influence continues to be felt around the world. He was more than just a composer or a musician; he was a cultural ambassador, a bridge between East and West, and a visionary artist who saw the potential of music to bring people together. His work remains a testament to the power of creativity and the importance of remaining open to new ideas and new experiences.

From his early days as a prodigious young pianist to his later years as an experimental composer and environmental activist, Sakamoto’s life was a journey of exploration and discovery. He leaves behind a rich legacy that continues to inspire and challenge us to think differently about the world around us. His music, much like the man himself, was always looking forward, always seeking out new horizons, and always finding beauty in the unknown.

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