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.

Still Alive
布袋寅泰 Lyrics

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瓦礫の天国(ヘヴン) 人はなぜ
棘(いばら)の道選ぶのか?
闇に光探す時
胸の傷が星になる

俺の声が聞こえるか?
(この祈りが聞こえるか?)
負ける前に逃げるのか?

(じっと息を殺すのか?)
夢を棄てて生きるなら
(闘わずに生きるなら)
おまえはもう死んでいる

永遠が終わる頃
人がもっと愚かでも
愛だけは輝いて
消えた明日(あす)を照らすだろう
伝説は始った
おまえが振り落とす
一粒の涙から

廃墟の楽園(エデン) 人はなぜ
背中の羽根もがれたか?
自由にふと憧れて
風の歌を憶い出す

栄光の旗の下(もと)
勇者達が競うのは
真実(ほんとう)の優しさを
学ぶための儀式だろう
伝説は始った
おまえが恋をした
汚れなき魂から

俺の声が聞こえるか?
(この祈りが聞こえるか?)
死んだ夢を揺り起せ
(叫びながら抱き起せ)
そして星と共に抱け

(心の目が開いたら)
おまえはまだ生きている

Overall Meaning

These lyrics from 布袋寅泰's song STILL ALIVE convey a deep sense of human struggle and resilience. The first verse contemplates why people choose difficult paths and search for light in darkness, with the scars in their hearts turning into stars. It questions whether one's voice will be heard, whether they will choose to run away or fight before losing, and whether living without chasing dreams equates to being dead.

The second verse reflects on the idea that even if eternity ends and people become more foolish, love will always shine and illuminate the lost tomorrow. It talks about how legends begin from a single tear that one may cast away. The lyrics then ponder why people's wings are torn off in the ruins of paradise, and how they yearn for the freedom to remember the songs of the wind.

The following lines suggest that under the glory of a flag, heroes compete to learn the true kindness through rituals. It states that legends begin when one falls in love, starting from an untainted soul. The repetition of whether one's voice is heard, the call to wake up the dead dreams, and the invitation to embrace the stars together signifies the continuous existence and struggle of the individual.

Overall, these lyrics embody the resilience and determination of human beings to overcome challenges, seek love and kindness, and find meaning in the face of adversity.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TOMOYASU HOTEI

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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