Person · PER-8EE42D40F2A49C2B
Ryuichi Sakamoto
1 catalogued object connected to Ryuichi Sakamoto.
Reference entry
Biography
Person.
Ryuichi Sakamoto was a Japanese composer, keyboard player and artist whose work moved between electronic pop, cinema and experimental music. He released Thousand Knives in 1978 and helped establish Yellow Magic Orchestra that year. His film music included Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence and the Academy Award-winning score for The Last Emperor.
His collaboration with David Sylvian on Forbidden Colours connected his music directly with British art-pop. Later recordings such as async explored quieter textures, while projects with artists including Shiro Takatani and Carsten Nicolai extended his practice into installation and media art. Sakamoto died in 2023.
Reviewed 2026-09-07Selected sources
- NTT InterCommunication Center — Ryuichi SakamotoEarly recordings, YMO, film music and art practice.
- NTT InterCommunication Center — Tribute to Ryuichi SakamotoLater collaborations and death.
- David Sylvian — Official site, Forbidden Colours collectionSylvian and Sakamoto collaboration.