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.
タンタルスの誤読
布袋寅泰 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
飛ばして、ぐんぐん、
ゴボー抜き
来歴不明の、ガンマンしばいて
王道まっしぐら
どこまでも、いつまでも、
生きてていいかなあ?
驚天動地の、人生劇場は、
体力増強、ばんばん食らって、
眼力百馬力
前方後円、憤然怒って、
最後の悪あがき
メチャクチャさ、馬鹿みたい?
生きてる? 私は?
体温上昇、煙が上がってる
闇のなかを走ってる。
君のなかを走ってる
空に向かってジャンプすれば
なにも問題ないさ。明日までは幸せ
笑いながら生きる
安心立命、 暗雲低迷、
悪木盗泉、合従連衡、
開口一番、偕老同穴、
外柔内剛、侃々諤々、
喧々囂々、冠婚葬祭、
勧善懲悪、鎧袖一触、
汗牛充棟、眼光炯々、
換骨奪胎、三拝九拝、
南無妙法蓮華 (大山鳴動)
幻想爆発 (大同団結)
遠交近攻さー(単刀直入談論風発)
戦力温存 (大喝一声)
晴天霹靂 (断簡零墨)
白髪三千丈 (内憂外患、南蛮鴃舌)
屯田兵なら (一触即発)
絢爛豪華な (半醒半睡)
反応してくれるーのー?
(頼芸求職、乱暴狼籍)
満身創痍だ。(陰険辛辣)
漫言放語だ。(暴飲暴食)
弁天糞まみれ(全身全霊豪放磊落)
タンタルスの誤読が愉快だ
傷だらけの幸せ
十年間咲かない野の花
私の名を語るな、
ひとーりーで、生きよ
孤独がきらいなんだ。
ひとりがきらいなんだ
君に向かってダイブすれば
なにもかもが解決だ、
なにもかもがほしいまま
君の頬に触れる
霧のなかを走ってる。
君のなかを走ってる
闇に向かってジャンプすれば
なにも問題ないさ。
明日までは幸せ
笑いながら生きる
The lyrics to 布袋寅泰's song タンタルスの誤読 express a sense of empowerment and determination to live life to the fullest, despite the challenges and uncertainties that may come. The opening lines suggest an exhilarating state of mind, ready to conquer any obstacles and push forward. The lyrics then delve into a reflection on the nature of life's theatricality, questioning the purpose and longevity of one's existence. The chorus encourages embracing happiness and living with a smile, while also acknowledging the vulnerability and scars that come from seeking happiness in a world that can be harsh.
Throughout the song, there are references to various phrases and concepts that symbolize strength, resilience, and determination. These include expressions such as "悪木盗泉" (taking advantage of a bad situation), "侃々諤々" (speaking boldly and confidently), and "勧善懲悪" (encouraging good and punishing evil). These phrases, often associated with traditional Japanese wisdom, add depth to the lyrics and highlight the songwriter's desire to confront life's challenges head-on.
Overall, タンタルスの誤読 is a song about embracing life with determination, finding happiness amidst struggle, and acknowledging the complexities of the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
状況最高、がんがん
The situation is at its best, progressing vigorously
飛ばして、ぐんぐん、ゴボー抜き
Soaring, advancing rapidly, surpassing all obstacles
来歴不明の、ガンマンしばいて
Defeating the mysterious gunman with unknown history
王道まっしぐら
Straightforwardly heading towards the path of success
どこまでも、いつまでも、生きてていいかなあ?
Can I continue to live, no matter where or for how long?
驚天動地の、人生劇場は、明日ファイナルさ
The astonishing and dynamic theater of life will have its grand finale tomorrow
体力増強、ばんばん食らって
Strengthening physical capabilities, consuming energetically
眼力百馬力
Having the power of a hundred horses in one's gaze
前方後円、憤然怒って
Furious with a circular approach to the forefront
最後の悪あがき
The final desperate struggle
メチャクチャさ、馬鹿みたい?
Isn't everything chaotic and foolish?
生きてる? 私は?
Am I alive? What about me?
体温上昇、煙が上がってる
Body temperature rising, smoke rising
闇のなかを走ってる。
Running through the darkness.
君のなかを走ってる
Running through your inner self
空に向かってジャンプすれば なにも問題ないさ。明日までは幸せ
If you jump towards the sky, there will be no problems. Until tomorrow, happiness is assured
笑いながら生きる
Living while laughing
安心立命、 暗雲低迷
Reliable and determined, amidst dark clouds
悪木盗泉、合従連衡
Stealing from a wicked tree, forming alliances and coalitions
開口一番、偕老同穴
Opening with a first word, sharing a grave with a loved one
外柔内剛、侃々諤々
Gentle on the outside, strong on the inside, speaking honestly
喧々囂々、冠婚葬祭
Noisy and bustling, from wedding to funeral
勧善懲悪、鎧袖一触
Promoting good and punishing evil, a clash of armor sleeves
汗牛充棟、眼光炯々
Brick by brick, filled with sweat and determination, eyes shining brightly
換骨奪胎、三拝九拝
Taking over someone else's success, paying respects three or nine times
南無妙法蓮華 (大山鳴動)
Paying homage to the wonderful Dharma Lotus Sutra (the sound of a great mountain shaking)
幻想爆発 (大同団結)
Fantasy explosion (great unity)
遠交近攻さー(単刀直入談論風発)
Engaging in distant alliances and close attacks (bluntly discussing and speaking out)
戦力温存 (大喝一声)
Preserving military strength (a loud shout)
晴天霹靂 (断簡零墨)
A clear sky thunderbolt strike (fragmented simplicity)
白髪三千丈 (内憂外患、南蛮鴃舌)
White hair of three thousand feet (internal worries and external troubles, incomprehensible language)
屯田兵なら (一触即発)
If it's field soldiers (it's a critical situation)
絢爛豪華な (半醒半睡)
Brilliant luxury (half awake, half asleep)
反応してくれるーのー?
Will you respond?
(頼芸求職、乱暴狼籍)
(Reliance on art and job-seeking, chaotic and disorderly)
満身創痍だ。
Covered in wounds
漫言放語だ。
Talking nonsense
弁天糞まみれ
Covered in filth like the feces of a sea goddess
全身全霊豪放磊落
With all one's body and soul, boldly and freely
タンタルスの誤読が愉快だ
The misinterpretation of Tantalus is delightful
傷だらけの幸せ
A happiness full of scars
十年間咲かない野の花
A wildflower that won't bloom for ten years
私の名を語るな、ひとーりーで、生きよ
Don't speak my name, let me live alone
孤独がきらいなんだ。
I hate loneliness.
ひとりがきらいなんだ
I hate being alone
君に向かってダイブすれば
If I dive towards you
なにもかもが解決だ、なにもかもがほしいまま
Everything will be resolved, everything will be as desired
君の頬に触れる
Touching your cheek
霧のなかを走ってる。
Running through the fog.
君のなかを走ってる
Running through your inner self
闇に向かってジャンプすれば なにも問題ないさ。
If I jump towards the darkness, there will be no problems
明日までは幸せ
Until tomorrow, happiness
笑いながら生きる
Living while laughing
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: 康 町田
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind