Tomoyasu Hotei (布袋寅泰 , born February 1, 1962 in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture… Read Full Bio ↴Tomoyasu Hotei (布袋寅泰 , born February 1, 1962 in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture) is a Japanese musician, guitarist and actor. Hotei rose to prominence in the 1980s as the guitarist for BOØWY, one of Japan's most popular rock bands, before starting a solo career. In 2003, he was ranked number 70 on HMV Japan's list of the 100 most important Japanese pop acts. He ranked second in a 2011 poll on who the Japanese people thought was the best guitarist to represent Japan after Tak Matsumoto.

Hotei is best known internationally for his song "Battle Without Honor or Humanity" , which has been used in numerous films, commercials, and video games, most notably Quentin Tarantino's feature film Kill Bill.

Born to a Korean father and a Japanese/Russian mother, Hotei first began playing the guitar in junior high school. In high school, his band Blue Film finished runners up in a school contest to Death Penalty, a band led by Kyosuke Himuro. Hotei was expelled shortly before graduation. The reason was that, when warned about his long hair he replied “Jesus had long hair!” Shortly after, he went to Tokyo where one day he received a phone call from Himuro. The two had never really known each other but hit it off and went on to hold auditions for a new band, which in 1981 became the six-member BOØWY. The band became major stars in Japan, in 1985 played the Marquee in London, and in 1986 had their first million seller, Beat Emotion.

When the band broke up in 1988, Hotei established himself as a solo star, as did Himuro. Hotei also made two albums with Koji Kikkawa as Complex, both of which went to number one in the national charts. Hotei frequently records overseas and has collaborated with many foreign musicians, including playing on The Stranglers Hugh Cornwell’s 1993 solo album, on stage with David Bowie at Nippon Budokan in 1996, and at the closing ceremony of the Atlanta 1996 Centennial Olympic Games with Michael Kamen.

He later recorded “Guitar Concerto” with Kamen. He has also worked with Andy Mackay of Roxy Music, guitarist Chris Spedding and Mike Edwards of Jesus Jones. Hotei also sometimes plays in Europe, including a number of major festivals. His regular drummer in recent years, Zachary Alford, has previously played with Bruce Springsteen and David Bowie. Hotei's 1998 album Supersonic Generation, recorded in part with Apollo 440 and Ofra Haza, was released in 14 European countries.

In addition to many bestselling solo albums, Hotei composed and performed the score for Hiroyuki Nakano’s Samurai Fiction, as well as starring in the film. He composed the score to Terry Gilliam’s feature film Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas together with Ray Cooper. Hotei's song “Battle Without Honor or Humanity” was used in the Quentin Tarantino’s feature film Kill Bill, the PlayStation 2 version of Dance Dance Revolution SuperNOVA,and Michael Bay’s feature film Transformers. Hotei recorded a cover of John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” for Merry Axemas, an instrumental guitar Christmas album featuring tracks from guitarists including Jeff Beck, Joe Perry, Eric Johnson, Steve Vai and Steve Morse.

The Nintendo DS game Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan features his song "Thrill". The game's sequel, Moero! Nekketsu Rhythm Damashii, features another Hotei song, "Bambina". (Both songs are cover versions.) Hotei is featured in “Grace” on the Apocalyptica album Worlds Collide. The song is featured in the game NHL 09.

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布袋寅泰 Lyrics

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悲しくて悲しくて
涙も出ないほど悲しくて
窓のガラス握り拳で割った
手のひらをつたう赤い血を
見つめてただ震えてた
痛みだけが生命の証しだった
SURRENDER
真夜中のメロディーが

乾いた胸に響きわたる
SURRENDER
過ぎ行く時のなかで俺は何を求め
彷徨うんだろう?

限りなくからっぽな
心を埋める何かが欲しい
燃えるようなときめきに出逢えたら
きっと悲しみを越えて
自分らしく笑えるはずさ
生まれてきたこと悔やんだりせずに
SURRENDER
声にならない叫び
くり返してばかりの夜に
SURRENDER
愛の香りに抱かれ
甘い夢を見ながら眠りたい

SURRENDER
真夜中のメロディーが
乾いた胸に響きわたる
SURRENDER
過ぎ行く時のなかで俺は何を求め
彷徨うんだろう?

春に目覚めた花も優しくそよぐ風も
空に歌う小鳥もきらめく月明りも
この胸に吹き荒れる孤独という嵐を
かき消せはしないだろう
かき消せはしないだろう...

SURRENDER SURRENDER
SURRENDER SURRENDER...

Overall Meaning

These lyrics are from the song "SURRENDER" by Japanese musician Tomoyasu Hotei (also known as Hotei Tomoyasu or 布袋寅泰). The song's lyrics convey a sense of profound sadness and desperation felt by the singer (likely Hotei himself) who is unable to cry despite being overwhelmed with sorrow. The imagery of the shattered glass window and bloody hand is particularly striking, suggesting that the singer has reached a breaking point and may have resorted to self-harm in a desperate attempt to release their pain. The repeated refrain of "SURRENDER," both in Japanese and English, adds to the sense of defeat and hopelessness that permeates the song.

As the song progresses, the singer expresses a longing for something to fill the emptiness in their heart and bring them joy. They dream of finding a burning passion that will allow them to overcome their sadness and live life to the fullest. However, they also acknowledge that this may be easier said than done, as they continue to be haunted by their feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Overall, "SURRENDER" is a powerful song that confronts the complexities of human emotions with raw honesty and vulnerability. Its dark undertones may be difficult to listen to at times, but the song ultimately offers a message of hope for anyone struggling with their own inner demons.

Line by Line Meaning

悲しくて悲しくて
Feeling sad, so sad

涙も出ないほど悲しくて
So sad that no tears come out

窓のガラス握り拳で割った
I broke the window glass with my clenched fist

手のひらをつたう赤い血を
Red blood trickles down my hand

見つめてただ震えてた
I was just staring and trembling

痛みだけが生命の証しだった
Pain was the only proof of my existence

SURRENDER
Surrender

真夜中のメロディーが
The melody of the midnight

乾いた胸に響きわたる
Echoes in my dry heart

過ぎ行く時のなかで俺は何を求め
What am I seeking in the passing time?

彷徨うんだろう?
I wonder if I'm just wandering?