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.

DECALOGUE
布袋寅泰 Lyrics

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聖なる Rock＆Roll
喰らって最後の晩餐会
C'mon! Do it! Do it!
神の実験台
韻詞は暗号書
解きあうライヴはサーカス・ショー
C'mon! Do it! Do it!
ようこそ It's show time!

ノッてけ! 吸盤ガールズ!
テクノもパンクも Cha-Cha-Cha
C'mon! Do it! Do it!
粋な蝋人形
賢者の運命線
断ち切るビートの空中戦
C'mon! Do it! Do it!
イクぜ Rock＆Roll!
Rock＆RolL Rock＆RolL
Rock＆ Rock＆ Rock＆
Rock＆RolL Rock＆RolL
Rock＆ Rock＆ Rock＆
Rock＆RolL Rock＆RolL
Rock＆ Rock＆ Rock＆
Rock＆RolL Rock＆RolL
Rock＆ Rock＆ Rock＆
無意味な最先端
ジャンクな POP が炎上中
C'mon! Do it! Do it!
誰が用心棒?
廃墟の原風景
蹴散らすビートの散弾銃
C'mon! Do it! Do it!
俺の挑戦状

万里の桃源郷
ハートに神秘の性感帯
C'mon! Do it! Do it!
がなれ開放弦
十戒ありきの Rock
偉大な種族の大紋章
C'mon! Do it! Do it!
今も進行形
聖なる Rock＆Roll
喰らって最後の晩餐会
C'mon! Do it! Do it!
神の実験台
韻詞は暗号書
解きあうライヴはサーカス・ショー

C'mon! Do it! Do it!
ようこそ! 俺の Rock＆Roll!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to 布袋寅泰's song "DECALOGUE" exude a sense of excitement and rebellion, celebrating the power of rock and roll. The song starts with the line "聖なる Rock＆Roll" (Holy Rock and Roll), setting the tone for the intense energy that follows. It portrays a scene of a last supper, with the singer eagerly devouring the experience. The lyrics urge the listener, saying "C'mon! Do it! Do it!", as if inviting them to join in the wild ride.

The song references the performer as a "神の実験台" (God's experiment), suggesting that through their music and performance, they are breaking boundaries and testing limits. The lyrics describe the live concert experience as a circus show, where the performers and the audience interact and unravel the secrets hidden within the cryptic lyrics. It is an invitation to embrace the freedom and excitement of rock and roll.

Line by Line Meaning

聖なる Rock＆Roll
Sacred Rock & Roll

喰らって最後の晩餐会
Feast on the Last Supper

C'mon! Do it! Do it!
Come on! Do it! Do it!

神の実験台
God's experimental subject

韻詞は暗号書
Rhymes are a codebook

解きあうライヴはサーカス・ショー
Interlocking live performances are a circus show

ようこそ It's show time!
Welcome, It's show time!

ノッてけ! 吸盤ガールズ!
Get on board! Suction girls!

テクノもパンクも Cha-Cha-Cha
Techno, punk, Cha-Cha-Cha

粋な蝋人形
Stylish wax dolls

賢者の運命線
Wise person's lifeline