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Ryuichi Sakamoto Spots in Japan
Ryuichi Sakamoto (Sakamoto Ryuichi) was a world-renowned Japanese musician, composer, pianist, music producer, and actor.
He passed away in March 2023, but his achievements continue to be highly respected around the world.
Originally, he was a member of the Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO).
In 1978, he formed YMO together with Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi, gaining international popularity as pioneers of techno-pop.
He composed the music for the film Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983), in which he also appeared as an actor. The main theme, “Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence,” is especially famous.
For the film The Last Emperor (1987), he became the first Asian to win the Academy Award for Best Original Score. He also received numerous other awards, including the Grammy Award, establishing himself as “Sakamoto of the world.”
Other representative film scores include The Sheltering Sky, Little Buddha, and The Revenant.
Kajitsu
A shojin (vegetarian Buddhist cuisine) restaurant in New York that Ryuichi Sakamoto loved. He is famously known for offering to curate the restaurant's background music, creating and providing a playlist that lasted for hours. This anecdote showcases his strong commitment to music and his personality of valuing the harmony of the entire space. For him, this restaurant was not just a place to enjoy a meal, but also a place to express his own sensibilities. It is said that he visited even during his illness, suggesting it was a special place where he could find peace for both mind and body.
Note: Unfortunately, it is currently closed.
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Hamadaya Sangenjaya Main Store
2-17-11 Sangenjaya, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
This bakery is known as one that Ryuichi Sakamoto loved in Japan.
He especially favored their mame-pan (bean-filled bread), packed generously with beans, and it is said that he even had it delivered to his home in New York.
It was a flavor he enjoyed during breaks in music production and in his ordinary daily life, reflecting his particular taste in food and his affection for Japanese flavors.
After his passing, many fans visited the bakery to purchase the bread he loved. It is a place that shows how Sakamoto continues to influence people—not only through his music but also through the lifestyle and things he cherished.
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Senbutsu-ji Temple
A Chinese-style temple in Nagasaki where Ryuichi Sakamoto held a solo piano concert titled "playing the piano" on October 28, 2007. The sound of the piano resonated through the solemn space of the historic main hall, leaving an unforgettable impression on the audience. It is said that he himself was very fond of performing in this location, and the concert symbolized his musicality, which emphasized the unique atmosphere of acoustics and space. The unusual combination of a traditional building and modern piano music was part of his artistic exploration aimed at transcending genres and eras. This place is remembered as one of the most unique venues among his many performances.
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Translation by ChatGPT.