How to Read “地獄の沙汰も金次第”
Jigoku no sata mo kane shidai
Meaning of “地獄の沙汰も金次第”
This proverb means that if you have the power of money, you can influence even hell’s judgment, which should be absolutely fair, and it’s a sarcastic expression that in the real world, the power of money is stronger than anything else.
Despite hell being considered in Buddhism as a place where the most strict and fair judgment is carried out, by saying “even there depends on money,” it strongly criticizes the reality that in this world, if you have money, you can get anything you want. This proverb doesn’t simply affirm the power of money, but rather expresses anger and resignation toward a society where justice is distorted by money.
As for usage situations, it’s used when corruption or misconduct becomes apparent, when witnessing situations where wealthy people are given preferential treatment, or when facing unreasonable realities. It’s used in contexts like “That person gets away with anything because they have money” or “In the end, it’s a world where money talks,” and is often used with critical feelings toward the contradictions of real society.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of this proverb is thought to have emerged as an expression that satirizes the contradiction between Buddhist hell ideology and real society.
In Buddhism, hell was considered a place where the most strict judgment is carried out in the afterlife, where the Ten Kings, including King Enma, were said to make fair and impartial verdicts based on one’s deeds in life. In this world, regardless of status or wealth, one was supposed to be judged solely on good and evil according to the original teachings.
However, in real society, corruption was rampant due to the power of money, and justice was often bent. Especially during the Edo period, bribes and monetary favors were sometimes openly practiced, and common people harbored strong dissatisfaction and resignation toward such realities.
The expression “Hell’s judgment also money depending” is precisely a phrase that points out this contradiction. It contains bitter sarcasm toward real society, suggesting that even hell’s judgment, which should be absolutely fair, might be influenced by money.
The fact that this expression became widely used is also evidence that people strongly felt the gap between ideals and reality. By bringing up the most sacred and fair place as a reference point, it became established as an effective expression that highlights the corruption of real society.
Usage Examples
- Seeing the politician’s corruption case, I thought this is exactly what “Hell’s judgment also money depending” means
- Getting a lighter sentence by paying settlement money in court – that’s “Hell’s judgment also money depending”
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, this proverb has come to have complex meanings. This is because in the information age, while money’s influence has become more visible, criticism of it has also intensified.
With the spread of social media and the internet, corporate misconduct, political corruption, and preferential treatment of the wealthy are instantly disseminated, and many people witness the reality of “Hell’s judgment also money depending.” Examples of money’s power distorting justice are endless, including tax haven problems for tax avoidance, large corporations avoiding legal responsibility, and disparities in healthcare and education.
However, at the same time, voices demanding transparency and fairness have also grown stronger in modern society. There are also reactions against the value system that “money is everything,” such as companies emphasizing compliance, judicial system reforms, and efforts to correct disparities. The spread of new fundraising methods like crowdfunding and ESG investment that emphasizes social contribution can also be seen as movements to reconsider how money is used.
Furthermore, digitization has created new values different from conventional monetary values. The importance of “assets” that cannot necessarily be bought with money, such as information, data, influence, and networks, is increasing. It can be said that we live in a complex era where we recognize the reality of “Hell’s judgment also money depending” while simultaneously having consciousness to change it.
When AI Hears This
Japanese religious attitudes contain a unique form of “compartmentalization.” While ordinarily believing in karma—that good deeds lead to paradise—Japanese people simultaneously say “even hell’s judgment depends on money” without batting an eye. This very contradiction reveals the core of the Japanese mental structure.
In original Buddhist teachings, hell is a place governed by strict karmic law. One’s destination is determined by actions in life, never swayed by money. Yet Japanese people have overlaid this absolute religious order with a realism that says, “But in reality, money can fix anything, right?”
What’s fascinating is that this can’t simply be dismissed as “distrust of religion.” Many Japanese listen earnestly to sutra chanting at funerals and never miss visiting graves. In other words, they haven’t completely rejected the Buddhist worldview. Rather, they skillfully compartmentalize both perspectives as “ideals are ideals, reality is reality.”
This duality perfectly aligns with Japanese society’s broader culture of “tatemae and honne”—public facade versus true feelings. Publicly upholding righteous principles while privately pursuing practical gains. Voicing moral ideals while making actual decisions based on cost-benefit calculations. “Even hell’s judgment depends on money” represents the ultimate expression of this Japanese survival strategy, applied even to the most sacred realm of religion.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us modern people is the importance of having eyes that calmly observe reality. Recognizing the gap between ideals and reality doesn’t mean giving up, but rather is the first step toward building a better society.
While accepting the reality that money’s power is strong, it’s important to have our own values that don’t get swept away by it. Rather than trying to solve everything with money, we need an attitude that cherishes values that money can’t buy, such as honesty, compassion, and effort.
Also, this proverb poses questions to each of us. If we had money, how would we use it? Would we turn a blind eye to injustice, or would we speak up? The accumulation of small choices becomes the power to change society as a whole.
In modern society, it has become possible to expose injustice through social media and mass media. If each person has a sense of justice and speaks up, we should be able to gradually change the reality of “Hell’s judgment also money depending.” Even if a perfect society is difficult, why don’t we aim for a world that’s even a little more fair than now?
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