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.
Cutting Edge
布袋寅泰 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
現象の真相を読め Come Of Age
幻想が幻想を呼ぶ その瞳で
最前の明日を読め Cutting Edge
Night＆Day 荒れ狂うNewsの海
浮かべた
方舟に君を乗せて 行こう
言葉で創られた世界
薄暗い話題に侵された未来
戦場が戦場を呼ぶ その瞳で
現象の真相を読め Come Of Age
炎上が炎上を呼ぶ その瞳で
最前の明日を読め Cutting Edge
火のない煙に巻かれた目の前
立ち尽くす
焼け野原の果て君と 行こう
耳は塞げない 口も塞げない
言葉で創られた世界
淀みない言葉で光を照らせ
KOTODAMA Lives In My Words
愛を伝えに行こう
胸に仕舞い込んだ想いは
叶うはずさ
KOTODAMA Lives In My Words
愛を伝えに行こう
未来は白紙で
書き込まれる言葉を
いまも待っている
KOTODAMA Lives In My Words
愛を伝えに行こう
胸に仕舞い込んだ想いは
叶うはずさ
KOTODAMA Lives In My Words
愛を伝えに行こう
未来は白紙で
書き込まれる言葉を いまも...
熱情が熱情を呼ぶ その瞳で
現象の真相を読め Come Of Age
喧騒が喧騒を呼ぶ その瞳で
最前の明日を読め Cutting Edge
迷走が迷走を呼ぶ その瞳で
現象の真相を読め Come Of Age
煽動が煽動を呼ぶ その瞳で
最前の明日を読め Cutting Edge
The lyrics of "Cutting Edge" by 布袋寅泰 delve deep into the theme of perception and the power of words and actions. The opening lines suggest a call to pay attention to how our words and actions can influence outcomes, urging the listener to read the truth behind phenomena and come of age in understanding. The imagery of eyes being a window to perceive both reality and illusions sets the tone for a journey of self-awareness and enlightenment.
The reference to a chaotic sea of news in the Night＆Day highlights the overwhelming nature of the world we live in, but the metaphorical ark offers a sense of refuge, inviting the listener to embark on a journey guided by clarity and foresight. The inability to block out what we hear or say signifies the interconnectedness of the words we create and the world we inhabit, emphasizing the importance of speaking truth and staying true to oneself in a world filled with uncertainty.
The imagery of a barren wasteland in the following verses paints a picture of desolation and destruction, but the invitation to move forward together in the face of adversity symbolizes hope and resilience. The repetition of the idea that words have the power to shape our reality underscores the belief in the Kotodama, the spirit of language, living within our words, nurturing the intention to convey love and illuminate the path towards a brighter future.
The final verses echo the theme of empowerment through words and actions, emphasizing the potential for love and understanding to bridge divides and manifest our deepest desires. The call to convey love and the anticipation of a blank future waiting to be filled with meaningful words evoke a sense of optimism and purpose, reminding us of the transformative power of perception and the clarity that can be found in embracing the cutting edge of truth and enlightenment.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JUNJI ISHIWATARI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind