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.

LOVE JUNKIE
布袋寅泰 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

電光石火の夜に
踊る妄想ハーレム魔都
恋の Gang and Pussy Cats
揃い踏み深層心理を解けば
孤独脳内媚薬のエキス
Dのカップ Fake だってかまわない
紀元前からプログラムされてる
人類破滅救うための

ヤンチャ好きな身体
一発だけなら OK
だけどそれ以上は No Thank You
何度抱きしめても
愛に飢えた LOVE JUNKIE
ハートもとろける Venus
きっと出逢えるから Don't worry
凍えそうな Kissを
月に飛ばす LOVE JUNKIE

上品ぶってもすぐに
濡れる条件反射のボディ
あっちこっち Bitchばっか溢れてる
百戦錬磨の指で
いじる対戦モードのレバー
ちょっと待ってウォッカぐっと
飲み干して
中毒みたいに恋の傷増やせば
愛を掴む%(りつ)が上がる
嘘の様なホント一瞬だけでも OK
何も閃かなきゃ I'm sorry
夢で抱いた女神
探すまでは LOVE JUNKIE
運命囁く Jesus
愚痴やシガラミには Say Good-by

独り夜明け前の
闇に溶ける LOVE JUNKIE

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of 布袋寅泰's song "LOVE JUNKIE" depict a wild and fantasy-driven night in the bustling city. It describes a world of electric lights and rapid movements, where the singer indulges in their delusions and imagines a harem of lovers, embodied by the Gang and Pussy Cats. The lyrics suggest that by unraveling the depths of their subconscious desires, they uncover the essence of a potent and addictive substance, a neurochemical extract that feeds their lonely and desperate need for love.

The song touches upon themes of human nature, programmed desires, and the potential for self-destruction. It hints at the idea that the singer's reckless and adventurous personality is an innate trait, linked to the salvation of humanity. The lyrics imply that the singer's body is predisposed to enjoy mischief and rebellion, as if it were part of their mission to save mankind.

However, despite their craving for love, they establish boundaries. They are willing to indulge in a fleeting encounter, represented by a single shot, but they draw the line at anything beyond that. The repetition of the phrase "No Thank You" suggests their refusal to let themselves get too attached or involved, possibly out of fear or self-preservation.

Overall, "LOVE JUNKIE" portrays a character who navigates the city's seductive and promiscuous atmosphere while maintaining a desire for genuine love and connection. It embodies the complexities of human desire and the struggle to find meaningful relationships amidst the chaos and temptation of a wild night.

Line by Line Meaning

電光石火の夜に
In a night filled with fleeting moments

踊る妄想ハーレム魔都
I dance in the city of delusional fantasies

恋の Gang and Pussy Cats
A group of passionate lovers

揃い踏み深層心理を解けば
When I unravel their deepest desires

孤独脳内媚薬のエキス
Extracts of the mind's addictive loneliness

Dのカップ Fake だってかまわない
Even if they're fake D-cups, it doesn't matter

紀元前からプログラムされてる
Programmed since ancient times

人類破滅救うための
In order to save humanity from destruction

ヤンチャ好きな身体
A body that loves mischief

一発だけなら OK
If it's just once, it's okay

だけどそれ以上は No Thank You
But anything beyond that, no thank you