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.

Supersonic Generation
布袋寅泰 Lyrics

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シラケタ時代に生まれたもんだぜ
フラストレーション爆発寸前
Ah...中途半端な
自由はいらないすべてが欲しい
大人はいつでも偉そうな顔で
恥ずかしげもなく嘘つきまくって
Ah...善人気取りで
説教するなら相手を選びな

All or Nothing..
All or Nothing..
最後の天使さ俺たちは
SUPERSONIC GENERATION
SUPERSONIC GENERATION
SUPERSONIC GENERATION
SUPERSONIC GENERATION

刺激とロマンに生きて死ぬことが
時代に対するアンチテーゼ
Ah...世紀末を
笑い飛ばすのさメタルのハートで
All or Nothing..
All or Nothing..
宇宙の涙さ俺たちは
SUPERSONIC GENERATION
SUPERSONIC GENERATION
SUPERSONIC GENERATION
SUPERSONIC GENERATION

サイバースペースは俺たちのものさ
神をも恐れぬヴァーチャル天国
Ah...デジタルランデヴー
退屈だらけの夜をぶっとぱせ
SUPERSONIC GENERATION
SUPERSONIC GENERATION
SUPERSONIC GENERATION
SUPERSONIC GENERATION
SUPERSONIC GENERATION
SUPERSONIC GENERATION

SUPERSONIC GENERATION
SUPERSONIC

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to 布袋寅泰's song Supersonic Generation speaks to the frustration and dissatisfaction of the singer with the current state of society. They were born in a time where everything seems lackluster and unsatisfying, and they are exploding with frustration. The singer expresses their desire for total and complete freedom, rejecting the notion of halfway measures. The song criticizes the self-righteousness of adults who lie shamelessly and preach as if they know better than everyone else. The singer urges the listener to be either completely invested in something or to not bother at all, living life with an all or nothing attitude.

The song also highlights the singer's rejection of societal norms and the mainstream culture. They live for stimulation and romance, rejecting the accepted values and beliefs of that era. The singer declares their intention to laugh at the end of the century with their "metal heart" and reject mediocrity. The song encourages the listener to join them in their rebellion, to reject society's expectations and embrace their own version of a life lived to the fullest.

Despite being written in 1998, the song's themes of dissatisfaction, rebellion, and a desire for something more continue to resonate with listeners today. The song's energetic and upbeat tempo, combined with its rebellious spirit, have made it a fan favorite.

Line by Line Meaning

シラケタ時代に生まれたもんだぜ
I was born during a dull and uninspiring era

フラストレーション爆発寸前
My frustration is about to explode

Ah...中途半端な
Ah... I don't want things to be halfway

自由はいらないすべてが欲しい
I don't just want freedom, I want it all

大人はいつでも偉そうな顔で
Adults always act so high and mighty

恥ずかしげもなく嘘つきまくって
And shamelessly lie all the time

Ah...善人気取りで
Ah... Acting like a goody two-shoes

説教するなら相手を選びな
If you're going to lecture someone, choose your target wisely

All or Nothing..
All or nothing!

最後の天使さ俺たちは
We're the last angels

SUPERSONIC GENERATION
Supersonic generation!