5 Facts About the Piano on Sakamoto’s ‘Zure’

The piano used on “Zure” survived the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. It was submerged in saltwater and mud for weeks before being recovered.

Sakamoto chose to use the damaged piano rather than restore it. He believed its warped, out-of-tune sound carried the history of the disaster.

The piano’s strings had corroded and its hammers were stuck. This gave the instrument a haunting, percussive tone that Sakamoto embraced.

Sakamoto recorded the piano in a school gymnasium used as a temporary shelter. The location added natural reverb and a sense of place to the track.

The piano’s survival and use on “Zure” became a symbol of resilience. Sakamoto said the instrument’s voice was more honest than a perfectly tuned one.