Ryuichi Sakamoto

To show my everyday life to the world was not my intention.

— Ryuichi Sakamoto

I'm fascinated by the notion of a perpetual sound: a sound that won't dissipate over time. Essentially, the opposite of a piano,…

— Ryuichi Sakamoto

People don't buy CDs so much anymore because it's easy to download everything. So, while the record industry is declining, the music…

— Ryuichi Sakamoto

For me, change doesn't happen on a linear basis; it zig-zags back and forth.

— Ryuichi Sakamoto

When I lived in Japan, I only noticed the bad aspects of the country. I didn't really like Japan then, but when…

— Ryuichi Sakamoto

Without the knowledge of music, it would be very hard to write film music. There are so many films, and each one…

— Ryuichi Sakamoto

I have to follow my instinct and intuition and curiosity.

— Ryuichi Sakamoto

I'm trying to relax, but it's hard.

— Ryuichi Sakamoto

I know Brazilian music. I have worked with Brazilians many times.

— Ryuichi Sakamoto

Just recently, I thought about how maybe I should have kept using the synthesisers more after 'Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence'; then, I…

— Ryuichi Sakamoto

As soon as I choose the timbre of an instrument, that dominates how I compose.

— Ryuichi Sakamoto

Looking back at my early career, I had a positive view of technology and its potential. It was a happy time, that's…

— Ryuichi Sakamoto

Piano symbolizes interiority.

— Ryuichi Sakamoto

It's all very well to say this or that on Twitter and Facebook, but ultimately, if you are a musician, it is…

— Ryuichi Sakamoto

Hopefully, we will become a stronger democratic society and avoid falling into xenophobia. Hopefully, we build good relationships with our neighboring countries…

— Ryuichi Sakamoto

When we went to see the first rough cuts of 'Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence,' I fell to the floor because my acting…

— Ryuichi Sakamoto

I have a cultural map in my head, where I find similarities between different cultures. For example, domestic Japanese pop music sounds…

— Ryuichi Sakamoto

I don't really know about the art world.

— Ryuichi Sakamoto

I don't get so much inspiration from other musicians. Especially alive musicians. Late musicians are good - Bach, Beethoven - yes, good.

— Ryuichi Sakamoto

It was a very rare moment in Japan after the Fukushima nuclear plant accident. Ordinary people went out to the streets to…

— Ryuichi Sakamoto

I was born and grew up in Tokyo, so I didn't know about nature.

— Ryuichi Sakamoto

I used to know things intellectually, but now I feel them. Now I feel that my body is part of nature, so…

— Ryuichi Sakamoto

I have a lot of sketches and ideas, but when you don't use them, they get stale.

— Ryuichi Sakamoto

Hollywood is a double feeling. Love and hate. With a talented film director, I cannot resist. They are such charming and intelligent…

— Ryuichi Sakamoto

We musicians often get inspiration from films and books or photographs, not only by music.

— Ryuichi Sakamoto