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.

Minimal Beauty
布袋寅泰 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

無限の揺らぎが
水面に光を放つ
いつしか呼吸は
引き潮と重なり合った
何一つとどまることはない
何もかも流れつづけている
あの日の記憶は
やがて薄れてゆくだろう

求める理由は
すべて解き明かせるだろう
この場所は止めどない悲しみ
色のない静寂の世界
Ah Woo

何一つとどまることはない

何もかも流れつづけてる
Ah Woo

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of 布袋寅泰's song "Minimal Beauty" reflect on the constant flow and impermanence of life. The opening lines describe an infinite fluctuation that emits light on the water's surface, symbolizing the ever-changing nature of existence. The merging of one's breath with the ebb and flow of the tide signifies a sense of unity with the natural rhythms of the world, highlighting the transient and dynamic essence of life. The lyrics convey the idea that nothing remains stagnant or unchanged, everything is in a perpetual state of flux and continuous motion.

As the memories of days gone by begin to fade, the singer acknowledges the inevitability of the past slipping away into obscurity. The quest for understanding and reasons behind various experiences is recognized as a process that will eventually reveal clarity and resolution. The passage of time and the evolution of memories exemplify the constant flow of life, where nothing remains static and everything is subject to change and transformation. The lyrics suggest that even the most poignant memories will eventually lose their vividness and significance, as they become mere echoes of the past.

The song's portrayal of a place filled with unending sorrow and a colorless, silent world evokes a sense of melancholy and introspection. The absence of vibrant hues and the stillness of the environment symbolize a sense of emptiness and desolation, perhaps reflecting on themes of loss and solitude. The repetition of the refrain "Ah Woo" adds a haunting and ethereal quality to the lyrics, enhancing the introspective and contemplative mood of the song.

In conclusion, the repeated assertion that nothing remains static or still reinforces the theme of impermanence and change that permeates the song. The lyrics of "Minimal Beauty" invite listeners to reflect on the transient nature of life, the fleetingness of memories, and the continuous flow of experiences that shape our journey. Through its evocative imagery and introspective tone, the song encourages contemplation on the beauty and fragility of existence, reminding us to embrace the moment and cherish the ephemeral beauty that surrounds us.

Line by Line Meaning

無限の揺らぎが
The endless fluctuations

水面に光を放つ
Shine light on the water's surface

いつしか呼吸は
Before long, our breath

引き潮と重なり合った
Overlapped with the ebb tide

何一つとどまることはない
Nothing stays the same

何もかも流れつづけている
Everything keeps flowing

あの日の記憶は
Memories of that day

やがて薄れてゆくだろう
Will eventually fade away

求める理由は
Reason we seek

すべて解き明かせるだろう
We can unravel everything

この場所は止めどない悲しみ
In this place, endless sadness