Right now, I am currently addicted to the main theme from the film Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, which is composed by Sakamoto Ryuichi. To me, it’s one of those songs I hear all the time, and I know I have heard this somewhere . . . but regardless, this song is so pretty. I just discovered the composer and the title of this song a mere few weeks ago, and I’m glad I did. Just in time for the end of the year. This song has this hopeful and optimistic feel to it that actually lifts up my spirit. Right now, the world’s all suffering from the financial troubles. I hope by the end of next year, it will be somewhat stabilized.

Anyway, I hope 2009 will be a great year for everyone! To the world and to us at Ningin!

Original Film Version

It’s really a simple song with a beautiful melody line. The simplicity here is the key.

Live Performance Version

This version is really lovely. I like how the instruments all join in one by one. The collaboration amongst the players, the way they work in harmony . . . the rest of the world needs to follow that cue! Whoever said the arts are useless doesn’t know what they are talking about!

Piano Version

Oh man. Now I want to learn the piano version myself! So pretty!