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.

DAY BY DAY
布袋寅泰 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

あの時ふたりは出逢ってしまった
理由なんて要らなかった
空っぽの胸がいっぱいになって
痛いくらいときめいた
気がつけば何度も
季節を数えたけど
気持ちは変わらない
DAY BY DAY

DAY BY DAY
愛しているよ･･･
その瞳に今も
想いはつのるだけ

涙も恐れず傷つけあうのも
お互い本気だからだろう？
見つめ合えばいい
抱きしめ合えばいい
信じ合えればそれでいい
答えはいらない
このせつなさに賭けよう
どこまでもずっと
DAY BY DAY
DAY BY DAY
愛しているよ･･･
夢の中でさえも
DAY BY DAY
DAY BY DAY
愛しているよ･･･

その瞳に今も
想いはつのるだけ

Overall Meaning

These lyrics are from the song "DAY BY DAY" by Japanese musician Tomoyasu Hotei, also known as Hotei. The song depicts a love story, capturing the emotions and feelings experienced by two individuals who met each other by chance. The lyrics suggest that when they first met, there was no need for a reason or explanation as their hearts quickly became full and overwhelmed with love. The empty space within their hearts was filled, and they couldn't help but feel an intense and painful excitement.

As time passed, they counted the seasons together repeatedly, but their feelings remained unchanged. The repetition of "DAY BY DAY" emphasizes the consistency and longevity of their love. The singer reassures their beloved that their love hasn't faded, as the emotions continue to accumulate in their eyes, even to this day.

Line by Line Meaning

あの時ふたりは出逢ってしまった
At that time, the two of us happened to meet

理由なんて要らなかった
I didn't need any reasons

空っぽの胸がいっぱいになって
My empty heart became full

痛いくらいときめいた
I felt a painful excitement

気がつけば何度も
Before I knew it, many times

季節を数えたけど
I counted the seasons

気持ちは変わらない
My feelings haven't changed

DAY BY DAY
Day by day

愛しているよ･･･
I love you...

その瞳に今も
Even now, in those eyes of yours

想いはつのるだけ
My feelings only accumulate