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.

Bitch
布袋寅泰 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

GET UP! GET DOWN!
GET UP! AND HOLD IT UP.
GET UP! GET DOWN!
GET UP! AND HOLD IT UP.
GET UP! GET DOWN!
上品なピンクのリップスティック
セレブリティブームに便乗?
完璧に化けたつもりかい?

Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!
ただ者じゃないその風格
誰からも一目瞭然
滲み出る淫靡な本性丸見えさ
GET UP! GET DOWN!
GET UP! AND HOLD IT UP.
GET UP! GET DOWN!
GET UP! AND HOLD IT UP.
GET UP! GET DOWN!
いい加減腹をくくって
捨てちまえフェイクな純情
見せかけのプライドは禁物
Oh Oh Oh Oh
胸を張れ天下の BAD GIRL
さらけ出せワイルド万歳!
世の中の男どもに喝入れろ
小悪魔のキャミソールで
蝶々みたいに踊れば
ムーランルージュ狂い咲き
すべての男は誰も皆
お前に夢中さ可愛い BITCH
GET UP! GET DOWN!
GET UP! AND HOLD IT UP.
GET UP! GET DOWN!
GET UP! AND HOLD IT UP.
GET UP! GET DOWN!

胸を張れ天下の BAD GIRL
さらけ出せワイルド万歳!
捨てちまえフェイクな純情
胸を張れ天下の BAD GIRL
さらけ出せワイルド万歳!
見せかけのプライドは禁物
GET UP! GET DOWN!
GET UP! AND HOLD IT UP.
GET UP! GET DOWN!
GET UP! AND HOLD IT UP.
GET UP! GET DOWN!
GET UP! AND HOLD IT UP.
GET UP! GET DOWN!

GET UP! AND HOLD IT UP.
GET UP! GET DOWN!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Bitch" by 布袋寅泰 (Hotei Tomoyasu) reflect themes of confidence, self-expression, and rebellion against societal expectations. The song’s energy is represented through the repetition of phrases like "get up" and "get down," urging the listener to take action and assert their individuality.

The lyrics challenge conventional beauty standards and question the motives behind following celebrity fads. The line "上品なピンクのリップスティック (elegant pink lipstick)" suggests the superficiality and conformity often associated with trends. The singer sarcastically asks if one believes they have achieved perfection by conforming to these standards.

The song encourages embracing one's true nature and not being afraid to show it. The line "滲み出る淫靡な本性丸見えさ (revealing a disturbing true nature)" suggests the importance of being authentic and transparent, even if it may not align with societal expectations. The overall message is one of empowerment and defiance, encouraging the listener to reject fake innocence and instead embrace their wild, rebellious side.

Overall, "Bitch" is a bold anthem that celebrates individuality, challenges societal norms, and encourages self-expression without fear of judgment.

Line by Line Meaning

GET UP! GET DOWN!
Rise up and then fall down!

GET UP! AND HOLD IT UP.
Stand up and sustain it.

上品なピンクのリップスティック
An elegant pink lipstick.

セレブリティブームに便乗?
Taking advantage of the celebrity boom?

完璧に化けたつもりかい?
Do you think you've perfectly transformed?

Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!
Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!

ただ者じゃないその風格
That presence is not ordinary.

誰からも一目瞭然
Clearly evident to anyone.

滲み出る淫靡な本性丸見えさ
Revealing your sinful nature clearly.

いい加減腹をくくって
Decisively gather your courage.