Ryuichi Sakamoto

Sound

Ryuichi Sakamoto

Born — Died

1952-01-17 — 2023-03-28

Place of birth

Tokyo, Japan

Known for

Sound

Credits

66 titles

Ryuichi Sakamoto (坂本 龍一, Sakamoto Ryūichi, January 17, 1952 - March 28, 2023) was a Japanese composer, record producer, and actor who had pursued a diverse range of styles as a solo artist and as a member of Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO). With his bandmates Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi, Sakamoto influenced and pioneered a number of electronic music genres.

Known for

Thirteen Talks poster
8.8

No synopsis available yet.

Thirteen Talks

2016

The Last Emperor poster
7.6

A dramatic history of Pu Yi, the last of the Emperors of China, from his lofty birth and brief reign in the Forbidden City, the object of worship by half a billion people; through his abdication, his decline and dissolute lifestyle; his exploitation by the invading Japanese, and finally to his obscure existence as just another peasant worker in the People's Republic.

The Last Emperor

1987

Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence poster
7.3

Island of Java, 1942, during World War II. British Major Jack Celliers arrives at a Japanese prison camp, run by the strict Captain Yonoi. Colonel John Lawrence, who has a profound knowledge of Japanese culture, and Sergeant Hara, brutal and simpleton, will witness the struggle of wills between two men from very different backgrounds who are tragically destined to clash.

Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence

1983

Today's Close-Up poster
NR

A current affairs television programme produced by the Japanese public broadcaster NHK provides cutting-edge information and critical analysis on important issues confronting Japanese lives.

Today's Close-Up

1993

NHK Special poster
8.0

An NHK flagship program, centered around a diverse range of documentaries, delves into the dynamic shifts of society, politics and history, as well as the breathtaking wonders of the natural world.

NHK Special

1989

Jounetsu Tairiku poster
7.0

Sunday night TV documentary program that heightens the spirits bringing a positive message to start the upcoming week by showcasing the routine and life of people, both famous and regular, including the bits of joy and struggle that go along into making something special. Scientifics, actors, craftsman and people in all fields share their experience.

Jounetsu Tairiku

1998

Film credits

2020s · 12 titles

SUGA: Road to D-DAY poster
7.5

SUGA of the world-renowned group, BTS, works on a new album. He embarks on a journey to find his story to tell through music, while interacting with artists from various cities around the world.

SUGA: Road to D-DAY

2023

Nam June Paik: Moon Is the Oldest TV poster
6.8

The quixotic journey of Nam June Paik, one of the most famous Asian artists of the 20th century, who revolutionized the use of technology as an artistic canvas and prophesied both the fascist tendencies and intercultural understanding that would arise from the interconnected metaverse of today's world.

Nam June Paik: Moon Is the Oldest TV

2023

Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus poster
7.8

"Ars longa, vita brevis" – art is long, life is short. This is one of Japanese music icon Ryuichi Sakamoto's favorite quotes, and the message that he leaves for viewers at the end of his final concert film, shot before he succumbed to cancer in March 2023. Consisting of only Sakamoto and his piano, Opus features the final live performances of 20 songs that Sakamoto meticulously curated to encapsulate his distinguished 40-year career.

Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus

2023

Ryuichi Sakamoto's Last Days poster
10.0

Ryuichi Sakamoto shocked the world with his techno music as a member of YMO and continued to capture the hearts of many with his unique music. In his diary in his final years, he wrote about the anguish of his life fighting the disease, thinking, "It's a death sentence" and "Should I choose euthanasia?" and "Music may be the only way to stay sane," and "Music to leave behind, music to leave behind." His true feelings were engraved, including words that made him think deeply—his interaction with unknown members of YMO and the unreleased song that ended up touching his heart.

Ryuichi Sakamoto's Last Days

2024

Brilliant Trees Sessions poster
NR

A video documenting the making of David Sylvian's 1984 Lp "Brilliant Trees" within Berlin. Unknown to the world until David's surprise releasing of it on VIMEO July 15, 2021.

Brilliant Trees Sessions

2021

Ryuichi Sakamoto: Diaries poster
8.0

Ryuichi Sakamoto was an extraordinary musician who passed away in March 2023. He meticulously chronicled his final days in his personal diary. By tracing the last three and a half years through his journal, one can see how he confronted the end of his life and the legacy he sought to leave behind.

Ryuichi Sakamoto: Diaries

2025

Ryuichi Sakamoto: Playing the Piano 2022 poster
10.0

On December 11, 2022, Ryuichi Sakamoto's solo piano performance will be streamed in the form of a concert. However, what we will experience that day is carefully recorded footage of Sakamoto performing a few pieces of music each day over the course of a week, that was then thoughtfully edited together. This is last performance.

Ryuichi Sakamoto: Playing the Piano 2022

2022

Tonovan Musician Kazuhiko Kato and His Era poster
NR

This documentary follows the path of musician Kazuhiko Kato, who has created many masterpieces that remain in the history of Japanese pop music. Kazuhiko Kato, affectionately known as "Tonovan," influenced many people with his musicality that was ahead of its time, such as "The Folk Crusaders" and "Sadistic Mika Band." The documentary introduces the behind-the-scenes story of the formation of The Folk Crusaders, who created Japan's first million-selling hit, rare footage of the Sadistic Mika Band's overseas performances and recording scenes as they made their way around the world, and hidden anecdotes about the "Europe Trilogy," which is said to be a monumental work of Japanese pop music. In addition, a new recording of the timeless classic "Ano Subarashii Ai wo Mouichido" is made, and the song's evolution by musicians of various genres is shown. The film was planned, directed, and produced by Yumi Aihara, who also worked on "SUKITA: A Moment Carved by Artists."

Tonovan Musician Kazuhiko Kato and His Era

2024

OKINA: Dance of Life poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

OKINA: Dance of Life

2020

Ryuichi Sakamoto Playing the Piano for the Isolated poster
6.0

100 minutes of healing music from Ryuichi Sakamoto and shamisen prodigy Hidejiro Honjoh.

Ryuichi Sakamoto Playing the Piano for the Isolated

2020

Ryuichi Sakamoto | Playing the Orchestra 2014 poster
8.0

Ryuichi Sakamoto sadly passed away at the age of 71 on March 28, 2023. His music never stops and continues to leave a lasting impression on people living in the present. Playing the Orchestra 2013" was the first time in 16 years that Ryuichi Sakamoto performed with a full orchestra in Japan and created a sensation. This film is an updated version of the 2014 Tokyo performance, which he conducted himself. In this film, Sakamoto conducts all the pieces while playing the piano, The film features Sakamoto playing the piano and conducting all the pieces, and a variety of music from YMO's masterpieces such as "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence" and "The Last Emperor" to his own film music, all performed by the magnificent Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.

Ryuichi Sakamoto | Playing the Orchestra 2014

2025

Ryuichi Sakamoto: Improvisation for Sonic Cure poster
NR

Japanese composer and living legend Ryuchi Sakamoto shared a live home session titled “Impovistation for Sonic Cure”. This performance was broadcast via the program “Sonic Cure” produced by UCCA + Kuaishou to encourage isolated people in China on February 29th. Sakamoto wanted to share it with the people who are in isolation. It was filmed and edited by Zakkubalan.

Ryuichi Sakamoto: Improvisation for Sonic Cure

2020

2010s · 8 titles

Ryuichi Sakamoto: CODA poster
7.4

Oscar-winning composer Ryuichi Sakamoto weaves man-made and natural sounds together in his works. His anti-nuclear activism grew after the 2011 Fukushima disaster, and his career only paused after a 2014 cancer diagnosis.

Ryuichi Sakamoto: CODA

2017

Ryuichi Sakamoto: async at the Park Avenue Armory poster
7.2

A live performance film capturing an intimate concert by composer, pianist and music producer Ryuichi Sakamoto in New York City. The performance marked the first public unveiling of Sakamoto’s new opus, async, hailed as one of the best albums of 2017 by Rolling Stone and Pitchfork.

Ryuichi Sakamoto: async at the Park Avenue Armory

2018

No Smoking poster
7.0

A documentary about Haruomi Hosono, a musician respected around the world and the music composer of Cannes Palme d'Or winner Shoplifters. The footage traces his encounter with music in early childhood to his days in bands Happy End and YMO to his solo activities. It also includes in-depth coverage from recent years of his first overseas performances in London, New York and Los Angeles. In London, he was joined by Yukihiro Takahashi, and when Ryuichi Sakamoto made a surprise appearance onstage, the YMO members were reunited for the first time in five years, a must-see spectacle captured on film. Written by Nikkatsu

No Smoking

2019

700 Days with Ryuichi Sakamoto poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

700 Days with Ryuichi Sakamoto

2015

Yellow Magic Orchestra - YMONHK poster
NR

A live performed on August 5, 2011 at NHK 101 Studio in Shibuya, Tokyo. Yellow Magic Orchestra, who has almost never done a studio live, played "RYDEEN", "FIRECRACKER", "COSMIC SURFIN", and others, in front of about 1,000 spectators selected by lottery. Keigo Oyamada, Tomohiko Gondo, and Christian Fennesz participated as support members.

Yellow Magic Orchestra - YMONHK

2012

No artwork available
6.5

No synopsis available yet.

Burning Ice

2010

Ryuichi Sakamoto + Alva Noto: The Glass House poster
7.0

Music live performance of Ryuichi Sakamoto and Alva Noto at the Glass House.

Ryuichi Sakamoto + Alva Noto: The Glass House

2016

Ryuichi Sakamoto | Trio Tour 2012 poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Ryuichi Sakamoto | Trio Tour 2012

2015

2000s · 7 titles

Femme Fatale: Dream Within a Dream poster
8.7

A documentary about Brian de Palma's "Femme Fatale."

Femme Fatale: Dream Within a Dream

2003

Ink Music: In the Land of the Hundred-Tongued Lyricist poster
NR

Everyone in Japan knows his work, yet few recognize his face. Chris Mosdell, British expatriate, pop lyricist, poet and visual artist, during his 30-year residence in Tokyo has written chart-topping hits with some of Japan's most influential musicians and composers, penned lyrics to anime film scores, and run with the multimedia underground of that city's avant-garde. Ink Music: In The Land Of The Hundred-Tongued Lyricist is a 90-minute documentary film detailing those artistic relationships in the expansive career of artistic word-smith, Chris Mosdell. Shot in HD on-location in Tokyo and Fukui, Japan, and New York City, USA, the film highlights Mosdell's rise from obscure expatriate bohemian poet to renowned lyricist for Japan's biggest band ever, Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO). The story is told through exclusive interviews. Tokyo itself also figures into the narrative as a major character, featuring copious clips of original footage from inside the city that inspires Mosdell's work.

Ink Music: In the Land of the Hundred-Tongued Lyricist

2009

Alva Noto + Ryuichi Sakamoto with Ensemble Modern: utp_ poster
NR

Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto, backed by Ensemble Modern and a live "visual score", perform their fourth collaborative work "utp_" at the National Theatre in Mannheim, Germany on November 16, 2007.

Alva Noto + Ryuichi Sakamoto with Ensemble Modern: utp_

2008

POSTYMO / Yellow Magic Orchestra poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

POSTYMO / Yellow Magic Orchestra

2009

Alva Noto + Ryuichi Sakamoto: Insen Live poster
NR

Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto, accompanied by a live visual score, perform their second collaborative work “Insen”. Recorded at Casa da Música, Porto, Portugal, on June 11th, 2006.

Alva Noto + Ryuichi Sakamoto: Insen Live

2006

VisualYMO:the Best poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

VisualYMO:the Best

2003

Ryuichi Sakamoto Trio World Tour 1996 - Complete Version poster
NR

A concert, called Ryuichi Sakamoto Trio World Tour, was organized in 1996. The setlist of this concert is different than the original album. This concert was played at 6 venues in Japan, and the Bunkamura Orchard Hall concert was live streamed on August 28, 1996, on the Internet, and was one of the first concerts to be streamed. This concert was released on both DVD and Laserdisc.

Ryuichi Sakamoto Trio World Tour 1996 - Complete Version

2000

1990s · 10 titles

New Rose Hotel poster
5.3

A corporate raider and his henchman use a chanteuse to lure a scientific genius away from his employer and family.

New Rose Hotel

1999

Barcelona '92 Olympic Games Inauguration Ceremony poster
NR

The opening ceremony of the Barcelona Summer Olympics took place on July 25, 1992, at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium before an audience of over 65,000. This historic event was largely orchestrated by the renowned Catalan troupe La Fura dels Baus, which staged spectacular scenes depicting the history of the Mediterranean and the Labours of Hercules. Music played a central role in the evening, featuring great operatic voices; the audience was captivated by performances from Montserrat Caballé, José Carreras, Plácido Domingo, Alfredo Kraus, and Teresa Berganza. Although he had passed away the previous year, Freddie Mercury was also present—both on screen and in voice—through the broadcast of their iconic duet "Barcelona," which became the definitive anthem of the Games. Additionally, British pop star Sarah Brightman performed the official anthem, "Amigos Para Siempre," alongside José Carreras.

Barcelona '92 Olympic Games Inauguration Ceremony

1992

Madonna: The Video Collection 93:99 poster
7.7

A collection of Madonna's favorite videos from 1993-1999. Contains the 14 videos: Bad Girl, Fever, Rain, Secret, Take A Bow, Bedtime Story, Human Nature, Love Don't Live Here Anymore, Frozen, Ray Of Light, Drowned World, The Power of Goodbye, Nothing Really Matters, and Beautiful Stranger.

Madonna: The Video Collection 93:99

1999

Technodon in Tokyo Dome poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Technodon in Tokyo Dome

1993

YMO – Hi-Tech Video Crime poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

YMO – Hi-Tech Video Crime

1992

Hurrah: Yellow Magic Orchestra poster
NR

Recorded at New York City's legendary Hurrah's nightclub and Los Angles' Greek Theater in 1979, YMO brings the electronic goodness to the people of the USA. Tracks include: Rydeen, Technopolis, Day Tripper and more!

Hurrah: Yellow Magic Orchestra

1992

YMO – Live At Budokan 1980 poster
NR

Yellow Magic Orchestra perform at Nippon Budokan on December 27, Tokyo 1980

YMO – Live At Budokan 1980

1993

TV-YMO poster
NR

A compilation of 1980s television appearances by Yellow Magic Orchestra.

TV-YMO

1993

Marisa Monte: Mais poster
8.5

The documentary follows the genesis of Marisa Monte's album Mais in New York City and the subsequent tour that supported the album from 1991 to 1992.

Marisa Monte: Mais

1991

Complete Hurrah poster
NR

Yellow Magic Orchestra perform live at Hurrah in New York on November 1, 1979

Complete Hurrah

1999

1980s · 19 titles

The Last Emperor poster
7.6

A dramatic history of Pu Yi, the last of the Emperors of China, from his lofty birth and brief reign in the Forbidden City, the object of worship by half a billion people; through his abdication, his decline and dissolute lifestyle; his exploitation by the invading Japanese, and finally to his obscure existence as just another peasant worker in the People's Republic.

The Last Emperor

1987

Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence poster
7.3

Island of Java, 1942, during World War II. British Major Jack Celliers arrives at a Japanese prison camp, run by the strict Captain Yonoi. Colonel John Lawrence, who has a profound knowledge of Japanese culture, and Sergeant Hara, brutal and simpleton, will witness the struggle of wills between two men from very different backgrounds who are tragically destined to clash.

Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence

1983

A Y.M.O. Film: Propaganda poster
9.0

Starring Yellow Magic Orchestra and David Brooks Palmer, YMO Propaganda is 1984 Musical film directed by Shin Saito. Originally premiered theatrically throughout Japan in 1984 and is considered by some to be the best visual work from 'Y.M.O.'

A Y.M.O. Film: Propaganda

1984

Tokyo Melody: A Film About Ryuichi Sakamoto poster
7.2

Documentary about the eclectic Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto during the recording sessions for his 1984 album "Illustrated Musical Encyclopedia".

Tokyo Melody: A Film About Ryuichi Sakamoto

1985

Adelic Penguins poster
NR

Originally commissioned by the Sony Corporation of Japan and performed live on the JumboTRON, a fourteen-story TV set at the Expo in Tsukuba, Japan, Adelic Penguins is a collaboration between Fitzgerald, artist Paul Garrin, and composer Ryuichi Sakamoto (who also appears as a performer). Structured in six segments, this technical tour-de-force is a pyrotechnic fusion of sound and image, in which the dynamic visual imagery fully complements and heightens Sakamoto's staccato, percussive score. Fitzgerald and Garrin merge terrestrial and interplanetary worlds, in which Sakamoto's figure becomes an integral part of the landscape. Set aloft in the surreal world of the artists' invention, Sakamoto dances, floats and walks through a hyperkinetic universe.

Adelic Penguins

1986

TV WAR poster
NR

Performed live on September 15th, 1985 on the SONY JumboTRON at Tsukuba Expo, Tukuba, Japan

TV WAR

1986

YMO JAPAN TOUR at Nippon Budokan poster
6.0

Yellow Magic Orchestra playing songs from the album Service in the Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan in the 22 Dec. 1983

YMO JAPAN TOUR at Nippon Budokan

1983

The Oshima Gang poster
NR

Documentary about the making of Nagisa Oshima's 1983 film MERRY CHRISTMAS MR. LAWRENCE.

The Oshima Gang

1983

YMO: Winter Live '81 poster
NR

Yellow Magic Orchestra concert recorded in late December 1981 at the Shinjuku Koma Theater.

YMO: Winter Live '81

1983

No artwork available
7.0

Japan, 1986. At the tail end of the world tour promoting their latest album Revenge, Eurythmics tops the charts. Between concerts, pop duo Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart survey Japan's cultural soundscape with the help of Conny Plank: A world of sounds both brutally technological and highly refined by tradition.

Brand New Day

1987

Ryuichi Sakamoto – Media Bahn Live poster
10.0

Features live recordings from the 1986 nationwide tour that accompanied the release of the album Miraiha Yaro. It is particularly noteworthy that the tour lineup featured a group of seasoned musicians, primarily based in New York, showcasing their talents. Incidentally, this was Sakamoto’s first solo tour, and it visited 24 venues across the country. Featuring a wide-ranging selection of tracks—including songs from Miraiha Yaro, classic hits from his YMO days, the theme from Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, and a single co-written with Thomas Dolby—this is a pop album well worth listening to.

Ryuichi Sakamoto – Media Bahn Live

1986

All Star Video poster
6.5

A compilation of avant-garde artwork and talent of the mid to late 20th century hosted by Ryuichi Sakamoto.

All Star Video

1985

Yellow Magic Orchestra - Winter Live 1981 poster
NR

A domestic live tour in 1981 when YMO released two masterpiece albums, "BGM" and "Technodelic". A live concert filmed at the Shinjuku Koma Theater, "WINTER LIVE 1981" focuses on songs from "BGM" and "Technodelic" and symbolizing the mid-term YMO catalogue along with artistic performing art. The audio is also remastered, giving the viewer a more realistic feel.

Yellow Magic Orchestra - Winter Live 1981

1981

Bye Bye Kipling poster
NR

This ambitious live satellite link-up of Japan, Korea and the United States features interviews with Keith Haring and architect Arata Isozaki, and performances and works by Philip Glass and the Kodo Drummers, Charlotte Moorman, Nam June Paik, and Lou Reed. In an extraordinary section, a performance in Japan of classical Western music is accompanied by a group of Kabuki dancers.

Bye Bye Kipling

1986

No artwork available
NR

20 minute music documentary shot in two days of November 1984 in, and around the outskirts of, Tokyo, Japan. A large part of the music was completed during that same month and recorded over a period of three days.

Steel Cathedrals

1985

A Human Tube poster
NR

Analog video art by Paul Garrin with Ryuichi Sakamoto

A Human Tube

1985

No artwork available
NR

Original music by David Sylvian. Performed by Ryuichi Sakamoto, Steve Jansen, Masami Tsuchiya.

Preparations For A Journey

1984

No artwork available
NR

No synopsis available yet.

NEO GEO ~1987.7.19 NHKホール~

1987

SAKAMOTO PLAYS SAKAMOTO poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

SAKAMOTO PLAYS SAKAMOTO

1988

Series credits

Behind the camera