EXHIBITION | Ryuichi Sakamoto's Early Inspirations on Display in Osaka

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An exhibition honoring the late musician Ryuichi Sakamoto (1947–2023) is on view in Osaka until September 27. "sakamotocommon OSAKA," held at the cultural facility VS. in Kita Ward, explores how the 1970 Osaka Expo influenced the 18-year-old Sakamoto.

The focus is on "sound sculptures" — instruments made from metal, glass tubes, and other materials that left a lasting impression on him.

These sound sculptures were created by French sculptor François Baschet (1920–2014) and his brother Bernard Baschet (1917– 2015). They produce tones when struck or rubbed and were first exhibited at the Expo. Their unique sounds are said to have shaped Sakamoto's lifelong exploration of sound and music.

The exhibition features both original works by the Baschets and new pieces created by the Baschet restoration team at Tokyo University of the Arts and other collaborators.

*Sakamoto's cherished grand piano, playing automatically using recordings of his past performances.*

Cross-Disciplinary Work

Sakamoto was well known for collaborating across artistic disciplines. One highlight is the video "async - first light, "created by Thai filmmaker and artist Apichatpong Weerasethakul. Inspired by Sakamoto's album async, it uses low-resolution, warmly textured imagery to gently reflect the atmosphere of Sakamoto's music.

The exhibition also features a program that recreates performances on the grand piano Sakamoto cherished for decades. Five of his signature works — including "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence" — are faithfully reproduced, capturing every subtle nuance of his playing, from delicate keystrokes to precise pedal movements.

Spirit of the Exhibition

Additional displays feature materials from around 1970, such as Expo tickets and some of Sakamoto's favorite books. These provide a glimpse into his life and interests beyond music.

*VS., the venue hosting the Ryuichi Sakamoto exhibition.*

At its heart, the exhibition reflects Sakamoto's uncompromising dedication to sound. He often said that the creative process was more interesting than the finished work. With its superb acoustics, the exhibition space offers visitors a chance to experience that process firsthand.

Dates: Until September 27
Hours: 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. (last admission 30 minutes before closing)
Admission: Same-day general tickets ¥2,500