By Fatima FSK
Japanese folklore often uses supernatural beings to explore troubling aspects of human behaviour. Beneath these mysterious tales lie powerful metaphors for the darker dimensions of human nature. They point towards a timeless truth: harm begins when desire grows beyond the limits of restraint.
In the tale of Shio no Chōjirō, a craving for salted horse meat becomes insatiable. In Suppon no Yūrei, the ghosts of turtles killed for food return to haunt those responsible. These stories reveal how the desire for one more bite can evolve into a hunger for one more possession, often at the expense of the vulnerable.
Yet appetite is not limited to food or material possessions. Fear, insecurity, ambition and the desire for control can become equally consuming. When these impulses cloud our judgement, their consequences extend far beyond ourselves. In government, they may lead to unjust policies; in organisations, they can shape unhealthy workplace cultures; and in education, they may suppress curiosity and independent thought. Even within the home, excessive control can be disguised as protection.
Human civilisation has given rise to remarkable institutions, international policies, treaties and strategic partnerships. Despite these achievements, the world continues to reveal deep inequalities embedded within its systems. Empires may have disappeared or transformed, but the legacy of their domination and oppression continues to influence societies.
Today, power often operates through more sophisticated mechanisms. A limited number of states can exert considerable influence over global financial arrangements, security priorities and the conditions under which other nations pursue development. Economically stable countries may have the resources to invest in infrastructure, innovation and long-term growth, while nations dependent on external financing may find themselves navigating conditions shaped by others.
It would be naive to assume that the prejudices and oppressive attitudes of the past have vanished. But why do these patterns continue?
Systems may be larger than any individual, yet they are shaped by human decisions. When ego, anger and the desire for control go unchecked, they influence the policies we create, the institutions we manage and the relationships we maintain. Over time, repeated behaviour can become an accepted norm.
An individual may sincerely believe that every decision they make is fair and impartial, while remaining unaware of the personal interests and prejudices influencing their choices. In such moments, the invisible ruler is not necessarily an external authority. It may be the self.
This is why conscious awareness is far more than a private pursuit of peace or personal well-being. It has consequences for how we treat others, how we exercise authority and how society functions. The ability to recognise our own motivations is essential to building relationships and institutions grounded in fairness, dignity and mutual respect.
Awareness does not require us to abandon ambition, reject authority or stop striving for achievement. Instead, it invites us to reflect honestly on the purposes behind our actions and the people they ultimately serve.
Are we exercising power responsibly? Is cooperation creating genuine friendship, or merely deepening dependency? Are we building trust, or using kindness as a means of control? And when we encounter resistance, do we respond with understanding or interpret it as weakness?
These uncomfortable questions return responsibility to the human beings who create, maintain and participate in social systems. When confronted with a problem, we often look outward for someone to blame. While accountability for wrongdoing is essential, meaningful change also requires us to examine our own conduct.
Responsibility is mutual. Every decision, whether made in a government office, a corporate boardroom, a classroom or a family home, carries consequences for others. The brief pause before acting offers an opportunity to examine our intentions and consider the possible impact of our choices.
Asking ourselves why we act does not guarantee that we will always make the right decision. But it creates the possibility of choosing differently. It allows us to question our assumptions, recognise our prejudices and resist impulses that might otherwise dictate our behaviour.
The struggle, therefore, begins within the human mind: between appetite and restraint, impulse and reflection, self-interest and responsibility.
The monsters of Japanese folklore may belong to supernatural tales, but the emotions they embody are unmistakably human. Greed, fear, pride and the desire for control can grow quietly, sustained by the choices we make and the behaviours we repeatedly excuse.
Perhaps the greatest danger is not that such monsters exist, but that we fail to recognise them within ourselves.
For when we finally pause to reflect, we may discover that the monster we fear most is not standing before us.
It is the one we have been feeding all along.
(Fatima FSK is a Dubai-based engineer, speaker and author of Reflections and Shadowrift. Her books and work have been featured in newspapers in Pakistan and abroad, and her articles have appeared in Qatar Tribune.
She writes about self-awareness, human behaviour and ethical leadership.)
Disclaimer: This article presents the author’s personal reflections on human behaviour, power, social responsibility and the themes found in Japanese folklore. The image is AI-generated and is used for illustrative purposes only.
