Musician Ryuichi Sakamoto, who won the Academy Award for the music of the movie "The Last Emperor" and was also active as a member of the music group "Yellow Magic Orchestra" = "YMO", passed away on the 28th of last month. He was 71 years old.
Voices of condolence have been received from Japan and overseas.
Musician Ryuichi Sakamoto dies at the age of 71, active worldwide in YMO and other organizations
Looking back on Mr. Sakamoto's history and achievements
【Voices of Mourning】
Haruomi Hosono posted 1 gray image
On Instagram of Ryuichi Sakamoto and Haruomi Hosono, who worked together in the music group "Yellow Magic Orchestra" = "YMO", a gray image was posted after 3 am on the 1rd.
The gray image posted without any comment is the same as the post made on Ryuichi Sakamoto's Instagram when fellow YMO member Yukihiro Takahashi passed away in January.
Music Producer Masami Tsuchiya "A wonderful admirer"
Masami Tsuchiya, a music producer of the same generation as Ryuichi Sakamoto and a member of the rock band Ippudo, said on Twitter, "Mr. Sakamoto was a teacher in all aspects from the time I met him when I was still a student in the 70s to the time I lived in the direction of music to today. Right now, I'm just in a state of despair. Please, please stay in the sea slowly and peacefully."
Musician Tetsuya Komuro: "I've been longing for you"
Musician Tetsuya Komuro posted an image of a handwritten message on Instagram.
In it, he said, "Dear Professor, I have admired you, many songs, achievements, admires, I have always envied you. As a composer, as an arranger, as a keyboard player. He showed me his dreams. I also feel that he taught me the role that musicians play for the people of the world. I'm grateful. Farewell. It's really goodbye. I want to talk to you."
Musician Tsunku ♂ "Producing songs together, my pride"
Musician Tsunku ♂ wrote on his blog, "Ryuichi Sakamoto, I'm sorry. When I went to New York a few years ago, I met him even though I contacted him out of the blue. It is an important memory that I was shown Mr. Sakamoto's studio and learned a lot about music while joking. And I'm proud of the experience of being able to create songs together. Thank you very much. I sincerely pray for his repose of his soul."
Motoharu Sano "Many artists are stimulated"
Singer-songwriter Motoharu Sano said on Facebook, "Sakamoto-san's spirituality inspired many artists, and I am one of them. We would like to express our deepest condolences with gratitude."
Sakanaction Ichiro Yamaguchi "Sad"
Ichiro Yamaguchi of Sakanaction, a rock band popular for its songs incorporating techno sounds, posted on Twitter, citing the news of the death of Ryuichi Sakamoto, "I am sad, and I pray for his repose of his soul."
RADWIMPS Yojiro Noda "A lot of beautiful and great music"
Yojiro Noda of the rock band RADWIMPS revealed on Instagram on the evening of the 2nd, "I only had the opportunity to talk to you twice," adding, "I still remember his gentle way of talking, and I will continue to listen to a lot of beautiful and great music. Thank you. I pray for the repose of his soul."
Singer Tokiko Kato "I want to inherit my thoughts and act"
Singer Tokiko Kato posted a photo with Sakamoto on Twitter, saying, "Ryuichi Sakamoto was a truly wonderful musician, thinker, and activist. We offer our heartfelt condolences and cherish the music we have created together."
Film director Shunji Iwai: "The impact was immeasurable"
Film director Shunji Iwai said on Twitter, "After the earthquake, I was indebted to you in various ways both professionally and privately. We're watching.' At the end of last year, these warm words I received by e-mail were the last. The impact is immeasurable. I pray for the repose of his soul."
Music critic Reiko Yukawa: "I've relied on and respected you"
Music critic and lyricist Reiko Yukawa wrote on her Twitter account, "I am shocked to learn that Ryuichi Sakamoto has passed away. I always knew that he was sick, but as a canary of the same era, I have spoken out with him in various ways, and I have trusted him very much, relied on him, and respected him, so I am really sad. My sincere condolences. It is indescribably dark and lonely, as if the light in the room has suddenly gone out. I'm going to cut the tweet with this tonight and mourn."
In Shibuya, Tokyo, there is a voice of mourning: "He gave us emotion"
Following the death of Ryuichi Sakamoto, there were voices of surprise in Shibuya, Tokyo.
A man in his 50s said, "I was surprised, especially 'Merry Christmas on the Battlefield,' which I think was a song that moved us. I want to say thank you for making so many good songs."
A woman in her 20s said, "I feel lonely because I think he is the person who introduced the culture of Japan to the world, and I pray for his repose of his soul."
【Voices of condolences from overseas】
People related to David Bowie
British rock singer David Bowie, who co-starred with Ryuichi Sakamoto in the movie "Merry Christmas on the Battlefield" and is still in operation after the death of British rock singer David Bowie, who died in 2016, posted a photo of Sakamoto alongside him and a message saying, "Ryuichi Sakamoto, rest in peace.
Korea BTS member Shuga-san
In response to the news of Ryuichi Sakamoto's death, Shuga, a member of the popular Korean group BTS, posted on SNS on the night of the 2nd, "Teacher, may the distant journey be peaceful."
Shuga, who plays the piano himself, was influenced by Sakamoto's music when he was a child, so he has been sending messages online to Sakamoto, who is battling illness, saying, "Please stay healthy."
A special corner at a record store in New York
At a record store in New York, USA, in response to the news that Ryuichi Sakamoto had passed away, a section was set up to collect Sakamoto's records.
Immediately after the store opened, customers who learned of the news of Sakamoto's death came one after another to buy Mr. Sakamoto's records, and the number of orders on the Internet was much higher than usual.
One visitor said, "I am very sad to learn of his passing on social media, but I think he lived to this age while battling cancer and did what he could with the time he had left."
Yuichi Mamiya, the manager of the store, said, "Sakamoto-san's records are selling 1 to 5 times more than usual, and I am surprised that he has so many fans in the United States, and I realize the magnitude of his influence.
Overseas media also reported that "the master of electronic music has died"
Ryuichi Sakamoto's death has been reported by overseas media all at once.
The BBC, the British public broadcaster, praised the Academy Award, Grammy Award, and Golden Globe Award for the music for the movie "The Last Emperor" with the headline "Japan master of electronic music has died".
In addition, CNN TV in the United States reported that "the world-famous Japan composer has passed away after a battle with cancer."
France's AFP news agency also mourned his death, describing Sakamoto as "a pioneering composer and environmental activist" and noting that he was known for composing the main theme music for the movie "Merry Christmas on the Battlefield" and was also involved in anti-nuclear movements and forest protection.
In addition, the Korean news agency Rengo News described Sakamoto as a "master of Japan film music" and reported that he served as the music director of a Korean film in 2017 and won the "Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award" at the Busan International Film Festival in 2018.
Chinese media also praise achievements
The Chinese media reported on the death of Ryuichi Sakamoto in a series of bulletins, citing Japan media reports.
Among them, the Chinese online media "Pengxiang" introduced that "he was called 'professor' by Chinese fans" and praised his achievements, saying, "Mr. Sakamoto constantly challenged the practice of creation and further explored the possibilities of art and music."
In addition, on the Chinese version of Twitter "Weibo", Sakamoto's death temporarily topped the search ranking, and comments mourning Sakamoto's death were posted one after another.
These include messages such as "I was happy to hear your songs" and "Your music has always been with me when it was really difficult, thank you," as well as many candle and tear emojis to express condolence.