How to Read “米食った犬が叩かれずに糠食った犬が叩かれる”
komekuttainugatatakarezu ninukakuttainugatataka reru
Meaning of “米食った犬が叩かれずに糠食った犬が叩かれる”
This proverb represents the unfairness and irrationality of society, where those who commit serious crimes go unpunished while those who commit minor mistakes are severely punished.
Originally, the dog that ate precious rice should have caused the more serious problem, yet the dog that only ate low-value bran gets beaten – this reversal phenomenon sharply points out the absurdity of the world. This satirizes the reality where serious mistakes by those in power or high positions are overlooked, while minor errors by those in weak positions are severely scrutinized.
This proverb is used when clearly unfair punishment or evaluation occurs, or when lamenting society’s irrationality. It’s employed to criticize unequal treatment within organizations or situations where power relationships distort judgment. Even in modern times, in situations where failures by those in positions of great responsibility are treated lightly while small mistakes by those at the bottom are greatly problematized, the meaning of this expression would be fully understood.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of this proverb is thought to reflect the actual conditions of rural society during the Edo period. In Japan at that time, rice was a precious grain paid as annual tribute, and was not something ordinary commoners could eat on a daily basis.
This expression, which depicts society’s absurdity through the animal of a dog, is likely a satirical portrayal of human society’s irrationality rather than actual treatment of dogs. The dog that ate rice should have committed a serious “crime” of wasting precious food. Meanwhile, the dog that ate bran only consumed a byproduct of rice milling – something of low value originally used as livestock feed or fertilizer.
However, in reality, there was a social contradiction where the mistakes of those with power or strong positions were overlooked, while minor actions by those in weak positions were severely blamed. This proverb is presumed to express such unreasonable reality using the example of dogs, familiar animals that everyone could understand. This expression, born in rural society and spread through oral tradition, likely became established as a sharp word of social criticism rooted in common people’s real experiences.
Usage Examples
- The department head’s big mistake gets no comment, but only the newcomer’s small mistakes are blamed – this is exactly Rice ate dog subject marker hit not being flour ate dog subject marker hit being
- Large corporations’ misconduct gets light punishment while small and medium enterprises’ minor violations get severe penalties – it’s a world of Rice ate dog subject marker hit not being flour ate dog subject marker hit being
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the unfairness pointed out by this proverb may appear in more complex and sophisticated forms. In the information age, those with power and influence can more easily control information, conceal their own mistakes, or shift responsibility.
In corporate society, massive losses from management’s poor decisions are beautified as “strategic withdrawal,” while small mistakes on the front lines are severely pursued as individual responsibility. Also, with the spread of social media, scandals of celebrities and those in power may cause temporary uproar but are eventually forgotten, while ordinary people’s minor missteps remain permanently as digital tattoos, creating new forms of unfairness.
In the political world too, politicians with serious policy failures or corruption suspicions don’t take responsibility, while small mistakes by low-level civil servants are heavily reported. This shows that essential problems of power structures continuing from the Edo period still exist in changed forms today.
However, at the same time, citizens’ watchful eyes have become stricter in modern times, and through whistleblowing systems and investigative journalism, exposure of those in power’s misconduct has also increased. People’s sense of the absurdity shown by this proverb has become a driving force seeking a more just society.
When AI Hears This
This proverb describes modern online mob mechanisms with surprising accuracy. What actually happens on social media is precisely the “rice-fed dog” phenomenon.
The targets most likely to face online attacks are actually ordinary people who made small mistakes or rookie celebrities—opponents who won’t fight back. Meanwhile, powerful figures or major celebrities who engage in truly problematic behavior are often ignored. This is a phenomenon psychology calls “safe target selection.”
For example, a rookie idol’s minor slip of the tongue receives tens of thousands of attacks, while a politician’s serious problematic statements get brushed off as “the usual thing.” Why? The answer is simple: rookies have no power to retaliate. Criticizing big names carries the risk of counterattacks from fans or social backlash.
In other words, the “bran-fed dog” represents what we now call the “weak,” while the “rice-fed dog” represents the “strong.” The essence of online mob attacks isn’t a sense of justice—it’s just people venting stress by selecting targets they can safely attack.
This human nature that people saw through 400 years ago has become even more blatant in the social media age. Technology has advanced, but human psychology hasn’t changed at all.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches us the importance of cultivating an eye for discerning fairness. In daily life, we sometimes get confused by superficial phenomena and lose sight of the essence. However, it’s important to develop the ability to calmly judge what the real problem is and who should bear responsibility.
Also, when we find ourselves in positions of power or influence, we must not forget our responsibility to use that power fairly. The higher one’s position, the greater the impact of one’s actions on surroundings. Before blaming subordinates for minor mistakes, we need the humility to first reflect on our own judgments and actions.
On the other hand, when receiving unreasonable treatment, it’s important not to simply accept it, but to raise our voice through appropriate methods. By pointing out problems in forms that many people can empathize with, like this proverb does, we can change society in better directions.
In modern society, each individual has means to transmit information and express opinions. When we find unfairness, rather than overlooking it, the initiative to connect it to constructive improvement may be what’s demanded in our current era.
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