Japanese Literary Awards

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Ryuichi Sakamoto

さかもと りゅういち

Sakamoto Ryuichi

Pen Names: Kyoju (The Professor)（Widely known as a nickname）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1952-01-17 （Nakano, Tokyo, Japan）
Died
2023-03-28 （A hospital in Tokyo, Japan） age 71
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Setagaya, Tokyo → New York, USA

Career

Occupations
composer, arranger, pianist, music producer, actor, public activist
Active Years
1978-2023
Influenced By
Claude Debussy, Johann Sebastian Bach, Igor Stravinsky
Influenced
Kenji Ozawa, Towa Tei, Downtown (comedy duo)

Education

Tokyo University of the Arts
Faculty of Music / Composition Department
Degree: 修士
Period: 1970-1977
Year of Graduation: 1977
Country: Japan
Completed master's program; started career as composer

Awards

Academy Award for Best Original Score
1987
Work: The Last Emperor
Organization: Academy Awards
Result: 受賞
BAFTA Award for Best Film Music
1983
Work: Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
Organization: BAFTA
Result: 受賞
Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score
1987
Work: The Last Emperor
Organization: Golden Globe Awards
Result: 受賞
Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media
1989
Work: The Last Emperor
Organization: Grammy Awards
Result: 受賞
Mainichi Film Awards Music Award
2015
Work: Mother and Living
Organization: Mainichi Film Awards
Result: 受賞
Ordre des Arts et des Lettres Officier
2009
Organization: French Government
Result: 授与
Sapporo International Art Festival Guest Director
2014
Organization: Sapporo International Art Festival
Result: 就任
Asia Pacific Screen Awards FIPRESCI Prize
2012
Organization: Asia Pacific Screen Awards
Result: 受賞
Berkeley Japan Prize
2013
Organization: University of California, Berkeley Japan Center
Result: 受賞
Tokyo Citizen Cultural Honor Award
1989
Organization: Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Result: 授与
Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award
2016
Organization: Montblanc
Result: 受賞
Japan Record Awards Special Achievement Award
2023
Organization: Japan Record Awards
Result: 受賞
Japan Academy Prize President's Special Award & Outstanding Achievement in Music
2024
Organization: Japan Academy Prize
Result: 受賞
NexTone Award Special Achievement Award
2024
Organization: NexTone
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Last Emperor

1987 Film Score

Oscar-winning film score.

OrientalismFilm Music

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Innovative musical style integrating diverse genres
Recurring Motifs
OrientalismAmbient MusicClassicalElectronica

Health

  • Pharyngeal Cancer
    2014年7月から闘病
    Suspended concerts and focused on treatment
  • Rectal Cancer with Lung Metastasis
    2020年6月以降の闘病
    Underwent surgeries and hospitalization, difficulty in artistic activities

Legacy

Ryuichi Sakamoto profoundly impacted music in Japan and worldwide, actively engaged in environmental and social activism. He received numerous international awards and was acclaimed for his innovative music style.

Archives

  • Some works archived at Tokyo University of the Arts

In Popular Culture

  • Featured in numerous TV shows and films, with a broad fanbase

Quotes

  • I am told musicians should only make music, but in a democracy everyone must have a voice.
    Source: Interview with Ryuichi Sakamoto (2010)

Trivia

  • Nickname: 'Professor'.
  • Studied piano from childhood.
  • First Japanese to win Academy Award for Best Original Score.
  • Actively participated in environmental and constitutional activism in later years.
  • Continued creative work during cancer treatment.