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.

火の玉BOOGIE
布袋寅泰 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

猿が吹いてる横笛
ぬるい奴らのざわめき星も壊れてる
自由と正義が今夜も花だらけ
そして浜辺は土砂降り
傘はやっぱりぼろぼろだけど
やってやる大吉大凶肌色大賛成
ああ飛んでいく俺らが地球に放った
巨大な火の玉ブギー

カネと名誉の爆弾
いたるところに炸裂ははは
愚かだぜ全身全霊全開ぶちかます
ああ真っ白だ俺らが宇宙に放った
ギラギラ火の玉ブギー

ああ最高だ君らがずっぽりはまった
話題の火の玉ブギー

Overall Meaning

These lyrics to 布袋寅泰's song 火の玉BOOGIE depict a rebellious and lively atmosphere. The opening lines describe a scene where monkeys are playing a flute, disrupting the tranquility and breaking the harmony of the stars. It suggests a sense of chaos and unpredictability, highlighting the unconventional nature of the song.

The lyrics then shift to emphasize the themes of freedom and justice, which are abundant tonight, and the heavy rain pouring down on the beach. Despite the worn-out condition of their umbrellas, the singer declares their determination to forge ahead, whether they encounter good fortune or bad luck. The lyrics celebrate the audacity and spirit of those who have released a massive fireball boogie, metaphorically referring to their impactful presence on Earth.

The second verse introduces the explosive combination of wealth and fame, referred to as "bombs," detonating all around. The lyrics celebrate the audacity of throwing everything they have at full force, embodying a reckless and fearless attitude. The singer includes the listeners, suggesting that together, they have created a shining fireball boogie that captures attention and becomes the talk of the town.

Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of rebellion, energy, and a determination to make a powerful impact, disregarding societal norms and expectations.

Line by Line Meaning

猿が吹いてる横笛
A monkey is playing the flute

ぬるい奴らのざわめき星も壊れてる
The noise of the lukewarm people is breaking the stars

自由と正義が今夜も花だらけ
Freedom and justice are blooming tonight as well

そして浜辺は土砂降り
And the beach is pouring rain

傘はやっぱりぼろぼろだけど
Although the umbrella is tattered

やってやる大吉大凶肌色大賛成
We'll do it, good luck or bad luck, skin color strongly supports

ああ飛んでいく俺らが地球に放った
Ah, we who are flying, released onto the Earth

巨大な火の玉ブギー
A gigantic fireball boogie

カネと名誉の爆弾
The bomb of money and honor

いたるところに炸裂ははは
Explosions everywhere, hahaha