Brains and Body

In that order.  Today was the first day of classes!  We spent four hours learning the history of Japanese law.  I'm not really big on history, but reading the Japanese constitutions was crazy!  First, the presiding constitution until 1946 essentially protected the government (specifically it gave the emperor power to do anything he wanted) rather than the people.  The current constitution, established right after WWII, also has some crazy language.  Many of you know (and many probably don't) that pacifism is a fundamental principle of the Japanese constitution.  But, here is the language of the controversial article 9:

RENUNCIATION OF WAR:  Aspiring sincerely to an international peace...the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as a means of settling international disputes.  

(2) In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as 

well as other war potential, will never be maintained...

I guess if I was a leader in a country that saw the horrors Japan did in WWII, I would renounce war.  Although they're not allowed to maintain a military, the appellate court has ruled that it is constitutional to maintain a small number of troops for possible self-defense.

After classes I ventured out with Jamal (new friend!) to roppongi.  Fate lead us to Erawan for a traditional Thai massage.  http://www.erawan.jp/eng/thaimassage_location.html  This was a fantastic little oasis hidden from the crazy streets of Tokyo.  First, they fed us delicious tea and hot towels.  We changed into some ridiculous Thai clothes and sat with our feet in a milk bath.  After, we relaxed in a tatami room for the Thai massage.  I was stretched and poked like never before.  It was the first time I've had a massage and felt

so comfortable that my masseuse knew what he was doing!  I am definitely going back.

After the massage we went for dinner at a cute (traditional?) Italian restaurant.  I know it's disappointing that my first two nights in Japan have been German and Italian, but I think it will change tomorrow.  It WILL change tomorrow.  

Time to study!