Unlike his father, I kinda like the things that the current Emperor of Japan is saying. The only problem is that he has no real power (because of the things that his father got his government to do, in my opinion).
No doubt, the nationalists in the Japanese Government will pay no attention to their revered Emperor.

In the world of footy, it’s not long now until the game between Australia and Japan. I not exactly confident of what Japan will be able to do though.

At the moment, I’m reading Geisha, by Liza Dalby. It’s a pretty interesting read, even if the author is a little full of herself (I certainly wouldn’t agree with the publisher’s tag line (or was it the author) that she was the only foreign geisha… she wouldn’t have been trained properly to be a geisha).
She worked with the Geisha in Kyoto during the late 70′s and the book was originally published in 1983.
What I’m finding interesting is how the role of Geisha and Wife/Mother is completely seperate. What I wonder, is how much Japan has changed since 1983, and if that is certainly the case. I’m less convinced, and I’m pretty sure Yuko would be bloody pissed off (in the Western sense) if I had a regular Geisha I would go and see!
As much as I like seeing some parts of Japanese culture modernise, sometimes things are not so good… especially when you read stories like this. These girls obviously want their money to buy their Guchi or Louis Vuitton handbags! :(

Well, the week is half-way gone. This Friday I’m off work. Then on the weekend, a few of us will be heading off to explore along the Great Ocean Road.