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.

Babylon
布袋寅泰 Lyrics

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Wild Boys You can do it
王者の旗月に掲げろ
White Nights Screaming Thunder
誇り高き未来のために
Wild Boys You can do it
臆病者はここにはいない
White Nights Screaming Thunder
アクセル吹かし架橋渡れ

減びかけた浪漫を探して
Riding to Babylon
悪の華が咲く魔都でも
Riding to Babylon
生きる意味はひとつだろう

敵はいつも昨日の自分さ
Riding to Babylon
泥まみれの夢を抱こう
Riding to Babylon
ハートだけは汚されない
Riding to Babylon
避けられない悲劇の後

Riding to Babylon
人は愛を築くだろう

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Babylon" by 布袋寅泰 present a message of empowerment and determination. The song is directed towards the "Wild Boys," urging them to raise the flag of the king in the sky, and cross bridges with the throttle to accomplish their goals. The verses speak of looking for romance that is fading away and riding towards Babylon, a city of temptation full of demonic flowers. In the midst of the chaos, the Wild Boys are encouraged to stay away from cowards and their only mission is to uphold their pride and build a future.

The chorus further underscores the lyrics' messaging by bringing attention to the importance of not being your own enemy and holding onto your dreams, even if they seem unattainable. The lyrics emphasize that while we cannot control the tragedies that occur in life, we can control our reactions and continue to love and create.

Overall, "Babylon" carries a message that hopes to inspire individuals to break free from their inhibitions, face challenges with determination, and stay true to their passions.

Line by Line Meaning

Wild Boys You can do it
Encouragement to be daring and take action despite being afraid or unsure

王者の旗月に掲げろ
Raise your banner like a king under the full moon

White Nights Screaming Thunder
With the power of the brilliant white nights and the deafening roar of thunder

誇り高き未来のために
For a future full of pride and honor

臆病者はここにはいない
There are no cowards here

アクセル吹かし架橋渡れ
Step on the gas and cross that bridge

減びかけた浪漫を探して
Searching for the romance that has been fading away

Riding to Babylon
Going on a journey towards Babylon, even if it is a city of evil flowers

悪の華が咲く魔都でも
Even though it is a city filled with wickedness and temptation

生きる意味はひとつだろう
There must be only one reason to live

敵はいつも昨日の自分さ
The greatest enemy is always one's past self