[Ryuichi Sakamoto] Piano Works | A Selection of Moving and Healing Masterpieces
Ryuichi Sakamoto—known worldwide as “Sakamoto” and affectionately as “the Professor”—effortlessly crossed genre boundaries, from film scores to experimental sounds.
Among his vast body of work, pieces centered on the piano shine with a special brilliance.
Their melodies, with each note quietly seeping into the heart, seem to have the power to make us momentarily forget the clamor of everyday life.
In this article, we’ve selected a wide range of tracks—from beloved favorites to hidden gems known only to connoisseurs.
Take your time and savor these piano works, which reveal new emotions every time you listen.
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[Ryuichi Sakamoto] Piano Works | A Selection of Moving and Soothing Masterpieces (11–20)
lorenz and watsonNEW!Sakamoto Ryuichi
We would like to introduce a gem of a solo piano piece that symbolizes a return to the roots of the piano.
It was included as the fourth track on the first pressing of the acclaimed 1998 album “BTTB,” and it remains enduringly popular today.
There is an anecdote that it “came to mind while idly playing the piano,” and you can sense a Satie-like concision and dry humor.
The right-hand melody appears and vanishes like a monologue, while the chord progressions in the left hand and inner voices subtly shift their meanings—tickling the intellect with playful ingenuity.
Offering both calm and a slightly enigmatic harmonic shimmer, this work is perfect for those who want to step away from the bustle of daily life and spend a quiet moment gently facing their inner self.
energy flowSakamoto Ryuichi
Energy Flow, by Ryuichi Sakamoto—one of Japan’s most celebrated composers—was reportedly completed in just five minutes.
To finish a piece this beautiful, combining poignancy and grace, in mere minutes can only be called genius.
There’s even an anecdote that Sakamoto himself could only give a wry smile at the song’s unexpected mega-hit status.
With its relaxed tempo and relatively few notes, it’s approachable for beginner to intermediate players.
If you can clearly convey the shifts in musical character, you’ll achieve a performance with greater breadth and impact.
Merry Christmas, Mr LawrenceSakamoto Ryuichi
This is the main theme from the film Merry Christmas, Mr.
Lawrence, released in Japan in 1983 with World War II as its theme.
Composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto, who is widely active as a music producer and musician, the piece won numerous awards both in Japan and abroad, including the BAFTA Award for Best Original Music, and became famous worldwide.
Savor how the somewhat heartrending, delicate melody sinks deep into the heart, and play each note with care, imagining snow quietly piling up.
self portraitSakamoto Ryuichi
Self Portrait, created by Ryuichi Sakamoto, is an instrumental track released as a promotional video for the album Ongaku Zukan (Illustrated Musical Encyclopedia).
For this album, Sakamoto spent two years jotting down his musical ideas like sketches, resulting in a diverse collection of works.
Incorporating elements of synth-pop, the track also garnered attention for its star-studded collaborations with artists such as Tatsuro Yamashita and Yukihiro Takahashi.
Reflecting Sakamoto’s introspective musicality and experimental approach, the piece is also striking when performed as a piano solo.
Its refreshing melody is perfect for moments of quiet contemplation.
kokoSakamoto Ryuichi
Ryuichi Sakamoto’s 2008 track “koko” was released as a single on his first independent label, commmons.
He reportedly considered naming the song “Kokoro” at first, but ultimately settled on “koko” because the original title felt a bit embarrassing—an anecdote that leaves an impression.
The CD containing this work was recorded and produced as a “carbon offset CD,” incorporating carbon offset initiatives as part of greenhouse gas reduction efforts.
Sakamoto’s forward-looking spirit and bold willingness to take on new challenges continues to inspire courage in all of us.
Put your hands upSakamoto Ryuichi
“Put your hands up,” used since 1997 as the theme song for the TBS program Tetsuya Chikushi NEWS23 and still widely loved today.
The original track was included on Ryuichi Sakamoto’s album CM/TV, and a piano version was later featured on Ura BTTB.
Buoyed by the popularity of the commercial song “energy flow” and Sakamoto’s high profile, Ura BTTB became a major hit.
Unprecedented for an instrumental single, it reached No.
1 on the weekly Oricon chart and sold a total of 1.8 million copies.
Please enjoy “Put your hands up” and many other beautiful works that will bring you a sense of calm.
[Ryuichi Sakamoto] Piano Works | A Curated Selection of Moving and Soothing Masterpieces (21–30)
IetaSakamoto Ryuichi
“Ieta,” written specifically for a contact lens commercial featuring Haruna Kawaguchi and released digitally in 2022, is a piece Ryuichi Sakamoto composed while undergoing medical treatment, saying, “I can still compose.” Within its transparent, shimmering sound, one can glimpse a sense of sorrow, loneliness, and emptiness—feelings that nonetheless convey Sakamoto’s strength as he fought illness, faced uncertainty, and continued living as an artist until the end.
If you only ever heard it in passing as a commercial jingle, take this opportunity to savor the song’s depth in full.