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This week, I'm going to recommend the Stephen Mitchell translation of the Epic of Gilgamesh, entitled

simply Gilgamesh.

I am reliably informed by those with far more knowledge of ancient Sumerian than myself

that it's not the most faithful translation, but it is a fun and fairly easy read for what

it is, and still very enjoyably gets across the key themes of the world's oldest story.

So if you want to have a chance to check out the very first story,

go to audiblechild.com slash Japan to claim your copy. Hello and welcome to the History of Japan podcast, episode 301, Stand Up for Your Rights,

Part 1. So if you've been listening to this show for a while, you know that I have a lot of

feelings about the Meiji Restoration, the tumultuous series of events that leads to the collapse

of 800 years of samurai rule

and the rise of Japan as a modern nation state.

As well I should, we did a 17-part series on the damn thing after all.

But let me ask you a question.

When you picture who is doing the action of the Meiji Restoration, who do you picture?

...