Ryuichi Sakamoto.Photo: Isa Foltin/Getty
The Japanese composer behind 1987’sThe Last Emperor, Ryuichi Sakamoto, has died.
Sakamoto’s management team announced his death in a statementposted to his official websiteover the weekend.
“While undergoing treatment for cancer discovered in June 2020, Sakamoto continued to create works in his home studio whenever his health would allow. He lived with music until the very end,” the statement read.
“We would like to express our deepest gratitude to his fans and all those who have supported his activities, as well as the medical professionals in Japan and the U.S. who did everything in their power to cure him.”
Ryuichi Sakamoto.Chiaki Nozu/WireImage
“In accordance with Sakamoto’s strong wishes, the funeral service was held among his close family members. Please understand that we are unable to accept any calls of condolences offering of incense or flowers, and the like.”
The note concluded with one of Sakamoto’s favorite quotes: “Art is long, life is short.”
Sakamoto was born in Tokyo, Japan, in 1952, and was widely known for being one of the first musicians to incorporate electronic production into his music.
Throughout his career, he played in bands, composed film scores and collaborated with artists like David Bowie and Iggy Pop.
In 1978, he played keyboard with electronic band Yellow Magic Orchestra, which went on to earn international success.
Ryuichi Sakamoto.Ebet Roberts/Getty
In 1983, he wrote his first film score forMerry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, and he acted alongside Bowie. He then went on to compose for films likeThe Last Emperorin 1987 — which earned him an Oscar, Golden Globe and a Grammy —The Sheltering Skyin 1990 andHigh Heelsin 1991. He also didBabelin 2006 andThe Revenantin 2015.
In 2017, he released an album calledasyncand had become a prominent voice in protesting nuclear power after the Fukushima disaster. The documentaryRyuichi Sakamoto: Codadocumented his efforts.
Sakamoto was first diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, perVariety. He then announced that he had been diagnosed with rectal cancer in January 2021 in a message on his website.
“From now on, I will be living alongside cancer. But, I am hoping to make music for a little while longer,” he wrote at the time.
source: people.com
