A series from This World Explained
The object is famous. The people, choices, and unfinished work behind it are the story.
Begin here
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When Japan’s sun kami retreats into a rock cave, the world falls dark. Enter a vivid retelling of Amaterasu’s story, with illustrations and learning activities exploring curiosity, laughter and collective help.
Read the story →Choose your way in
Read the evidence, listen to the full telling, or let the slower version follow you into the night. Video joins the shelf as each film is released.
Standard podcast
Long-form stories about the myths, people, objects, ideas, and turning points that continue to shape shared human life.
Listen to Tales That Shaped UsA quieter listening path
Unhurried adaptations that leave room for the past to unfold, the questions to settle, and the story to keep you company.
Listen to Stories for SleepWatch when it arrives
Flagship video essays will bring the people, places, objects, and evidence into view here. The first film will appear as soon as there is a finished episode to show you.
The growing library
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When Japan’s sun kami retreats into a rock cave, the world falls dark. Enter a vivid retelling of Amaterasu’s story, with illustrations and learning…
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The Rosetta Stone began as a decree—not as a key. Listen to the story Choose the full episode or the quieter sleep adaptation. Tales…