Photo by zakkubalan ©2022 Kab Inc.
On January 17, 2022, beloved composer Ryuichi Sakamoto celebrated his 70th birthday. The artist continues to battle cancer, and as a way to encourage and empower him, the commons label launched a special anniversary website titled 10 Favorites – Ryuichi Sakamoto. The site features appearances from major artists and creators who have cited Sakamoto as an inspiration, listing their ten favorite works by the composer alongside their unique perspectives and thoughts. The 25th and final installment features SUGA of the popular K-pop boy band BTS.
Comment from SUGA (BTS)
「어릴적 부모님 손에 이끌려 ‘마지막 황제’ 재개봉을 간 적이 있었습니다.
그 때 음악에 압도 되었다는 느낌을 처음 받았고 12살 음악을 만들기 시작하며 사카모토 류이치 선생님의 음악을 많이 듣고 샘플링을 하며 꿈을 키웠습니다.
저에게 수많은 영감을 준 뮤지션들은 많지만 사카모토 류이치 선생님은 더 많은 꿈을 꾸게 해주신 분입니다 (저는 참고로 코다 다큐멘터리의 재해대피소에서 연주한 Merry Chistmas Mr. Lawrence live 버전을 가장 좋아합니다)
부디 건강하세요 선생님.
“When I was young, my parents took me to see The Last Emperor. That was when I first experienced the feeling of being awed by music. I began composing music when I was twelve and dreamed about my future while listening to your music, even sampling some of it.
There are many musicians who have inspired me, but you are one of the people who has influenced me the most. (For reference, my favorite Sakamoto piece is the live performance version of Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence that was performed in the area impacted by the 2011 earthquake, which appears in the documentary CODA). Mr. Sakamoto, please stay healthy.”
Previous contributors to the project include Shinro Ohtake, Goro Inagaki, Banana Yoshimoto, Shiro Takatani, Yukihiro Takahashi, Akira Asada, Kiko Mizuhara, Haruomi Hosono, Yuima Nakazato, Ryu Murakami, LEO, UA, Shin’ichi Fukuoka, U-zhaan, Lee Sang-il, Ryoji Ikeda, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Kei Wakabayashi, Shinichiro Watanabe, Kiichi Fujiwara, Miki Nakatani, Daito Manabe, Taeko Ohnuki, and Hirokazu Koreeda.
Fans of Sakamoto’s works should feel free to peruse the site, which includes English translations of the guest’s selections and thoughts.
RELATED ENTRIES
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SEGA’s popular ROMAPI purikura machines nationwide are currently teaming up with BTS! Fans can find some adorable Butter-inspired stamps with their favorite TinyTAN characters, useful for spicing up snapshots. The collab is running until December 12, 2022.
During this event, a total of 39 TinyTAN stamps are available, all inspired by the group’s hit song Butter. Two stamps are also available, and images can also be sent to your smartphone using Purikura ON. Fans of BTS shouldn’t miss this opportunity to snag some cute shots! Information
ROMAPI / TinyTAN ~Butter~
Available: November 10 – December 12, 2022
Applicable Machines: ROMAPI
Where: ROMAPI Machines nationwide
List of Stores: https://puri.sega.jp/location-map/?id=ROMAPI
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BTS fans will want to head to Nagoya! The TinyTAN Licensed Product Special Exhibition is now open at Nagoya Kintetsu Pass’e until October 2, 2022. Tons of new products inspired by Butter are available at an on-site pop-up shop!
The exhibition opened on September 17, and fans of the BTS song Butter are flocking to the event to snag some adorable new merch. In addition to new interior goods being unveiled for the first time, popular products have been released with entirely new designs. Many other world premiere products will also be available, including the 4 Season Blanket decorated with TinyTAN characters and inspired by spring, summer, fall, and winter. This will be available in limited quantities, so don't miss out! Information
TinyTAN Licensed Product Special Exhibition in Nagoya (DIRECTOR JAPAN)
Venue: Nagoya Kintetsu Pass’e 4F Special Event Space (1-2-2 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya)
Running: September 17 – October 2, 2022
Hours: 10:00-20:00
Reservations: https://select-type.com/rsv/?id=zf4tWp-4ICA -
Noritake, a fine china maker, has opened preorders for cup & saucer sets inspired by popular BTS songs! The DNA, MIC Drop, and Dynamite sets are currently available to order, while the Boy With Luv and Butter sets will be available on September 21. If you want one of these gorgeous sets, be quick–preorders will end once all items sell out.
The cups and saucers are made of bone china, a type of porcelain, and are decorated in bright and vivid colors inspired by some of the Korean boy band’s biggest hits. The backs of the cups and saucers are decorated with the BTS logo, so fans will want to add this to their kitchen. (C) BIGHIT MUSIC. All Rights Reserved. Information
Noritake Cup ＆ Saucer Set – BTS Music Themed
DNA ver. / MIC Drop ver. / Boy With Luv ver. / Dynamite ver. / Butter ver. (5 varieties)
Details: https://p-bandai.jp/item/item-1000179589/?rt=pr
Where to Buy: Premium Bandai (http://p-bandai.jp/?rt=pr), Noritake Square Nagoya (in Noritake no Mori, Nagoya), Noritake Online Shop (https://tableware.noritake.co.jp/ ), etc.
Preorders:
DNA ver. / MIC Drop ver. / Dynamite ver.
September 6 at 13:00 ~ While Supplies Last
Boy With Luv ver.／Butter ver.
September 21 at 13:00 ~ While Supplies Last
Delivery:
DNA ver. / MIC Drop ver. / Dynamite ver.: February 2023
Boy With Luv ver. / Butter ver.: March 2023
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Lifestyle brand BAYFLOW has launched a triple collaboration collection! Stores nationwide are now selling items created by the popular South Korean idol group BTS, headwear and fashion brand New Era, and the MLB, the world’s premier professional baseball league. Dynamite
Butter Black Swan The designs in this collection incorporate the coloring and artwork found on the covers of the BTS singles Black Swan, Dynamite, and Butter, with the MLB logo. Fans can grab baseball caps, bucket hats, and t-shirts inspired by each song. BAYFLOW began selling these new items in stores nationwide starting May 13, 2022. In addition, two New Era pop-up shops are open for a limited time at BAYFLOW Kichijoji and AEON Mall Kawaguchi! Information
BTS x New Era x MLB
Release Date: May 13, 2022
Where to Buy: BAYFLOW stores nationwide
List of Stores: https://www.dot-st.com/m/bayflow/CSfMbStoreListPage.jsp*Not available at the web store, ZOZOTOWN, or Rakuten.
New Era Pop-up Store
Locations: BAYFLOW Kichijoji, AEON Mall KawaguchiDates:
At BAYFLOW Kichijoji until May 31
At AEON Mall Kawaguchi until June 6Official Site: https://www.bayflow.jp/
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NAMJATOWN, a theme park located in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, will be holding a special BT21 event from May 14 until June 12, 2022! The ‘BT21 MerryLand ~Welcome to our Dreamy World!~’ event celebrates the popular LINE FRIENDS characters, and guests can enjoy lots of games and treats! The event recreates MerryLand, an amusement park in the BT21 member’s dreams. Guests can participate in three unique mini-games inspired by amusement park attractions, along with a stamp rally and riddle-solving game! Original merchandise and menu items will also be available.
Original Mini-Games
BT21 MerryLand Spinning Ferris Wheel / BT21's Whirling Teacups ♪ / The Full Stomach Yum-yum Wagon
Mini-Game Prizes
A Prize: Relaxing Cushion (7 varieties)B Prize: Bandana (7 varieties) C Prize: Mini Acrylic Stand (7 varieties, random) D Prize: Character Pin (7 varieties, random) *The design for A Prize and B Prize will differ depending on the mini-game. (Guests can choose the design for each game.) *For C Prize and D Prize, the design is the same for all mini-games. Venue Exclusive Project! Rally Game
Rally Game PrizesParticipation Prize: Mascot Rubber Charm (7 varieties, random) *Prizes are the same for each Rally Game.
Original Merchandise
Original Food & Drinks Soft Drink with Acrylic Coaster / Fortune Latte (14 varieties) / Icing Cookie (7 varieties)
Those unable to attend the event can head to the Namco Parks Online Store to play some web-based mini-games offering the same prizes! Certain pieces of merchandise will also be available for purchase online. Following Tokyo, the event will head to HEP FIVE in Osaka from July 2 until July 24 and Canal City Hakata in Fukuoka from August 5 until August 28. ©Bandai Namco Amusement Inc.Information
BT21 MerryLand
Tokyo Event
Venue: NAMJATOWN
Address: Sunshine City World Import Part Building 2F/3F (3-1-3 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo)
Running: May 14 – June 12
Osaka Event
Venue: Hugood! from NAMJATOWN
Address: HEP FIVE 9F (5-15 Kakudacho, Kita-ku, Osaka)
Running: July 2 – July 24, 2022
Fukuoka Event
Venue: Namco Canal City Hakata
Address: Canal City Hakata South Building B1F (1-2-74 Sumiyoshi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka)
Running: August 5 – August 28, 2022
Online Sales / Online Lottery Wheelhttps://parks2.bandainamco-am.co.jp/
Sales Period: May 16, 11:00 – June 13, 23:59
Official Site: https://event.bandainamco-am.co.jp/cx/bt21-merryland/ -
The popular BTS chibi characters TinyTAN will be featured at TinyTAN Cafe locations in five cities for a limited time! Nine locations will be open across Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, and Miyagi starting April 21, 2022. The TinyTAN characters were designed by the seven members of BTS to embody their “second selves.”
Select Cakes: ¥990
Fruits Deco Style: Strawberry, Fruits Deco Style: Mango, Fruits Deco Style: White Grape: ¥1,760
The menu is packed with desserts, including seven different types of cakes each inspired by a member of TinyTAN.
American Sundae Style Chocolate Cookie, American Sundae Style Caramel Nuts, American Sundae Style Pistachio Honey: ¥1,870
Afternoon Style Tea: ¥3,190
The Afternoon Style Tea includes a base plate that can be customized with guest’s favorite fruits and chocolates. Two types of TinyTAN Select Cakes will also be included to share!Ham (2 types) & Scrambled Egg Peanut Butter Sandwich: ¥1,760
Cafe Style Drink & Cake Set *Prices vary based on drink selection.
Guests can choose from colorful bagel sandwiches, pancakes, and open sandwiches, along with a selection of sweet drinks to match each meal.Bonuses
Acrylic Stand (7 varieties, random): ¥1,320
Sticky Note Roll: ¥880, Acrylic Nameplate (7 varieties): ¥990 each
Original cafe merchandise and special offers will make visiting the TinyTAN Cafe even more exciting!
© BIGHIT MUSIC. All Rights ReservedInformation
TinyTAN CAFE
Tokyo, Omotesando: BOX cafe&space Omotesando
April 21 – June 5, 2022
Pine Under Flat B1F (5-13-2 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
Tokyo, Shinjuku: BOX cafe&space Lumine EST Shinjuku
April 28 – July 3, 2022
Lumine EST Shinjuku B1F (3-38-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo)
Tokyo, Harajuku: BOX cafe&space Harajuku Alta
April 21 – June 5, 2022
Harajuku Alta 3F (1-16-4 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
Tokyo, Omotesando: BOX cafe&space Omotesando Hills
April 21 – June 26, 2022
Main Building, B3F (4-12-10 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
Kanagawa, Yokohama: Collabo_Index Lumine Yokohama
April 22 – June 19, 2022
Lumine Yokohama 6F (2-16-1 Takashima, Nishi-ku, Yokohama)
Aichi, Nagoya: BOX cafe&space Nagoya LACHIC #1
April 28 – June 5, 2022
LACHIC B1F (3-6-1 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya)
Osaka, Umeda: BOX cafe&space HEP FIVE
April 28 – June 5, 2022
HEP FIVE 7F (5-15 Kakudacho, Kita-ku, Osaka)
Osaka, Shinsaibashi: Shinsaibashi contact
April 29 – July 3, 2022
1-6-24 Kitahorie, Nishi-ku, Osaka
Miyagi, Rifu: BALLER:S
April 27 – June 26, 2022
AEON MALL Shin-Rifu South Building 2F (3-1-1 Shinnakamichi, Rifu, Miyagi)
Reservations Open
Reservation Fee: ¥660 (Includes Bonus)
TinyTAN CAFE Official Site: https://tinytan-cafe.jp/