Creature Feature: Kappa
Hello again everyone!
Have you ever heard of Japanese Yokai? The term "Yokai" has a few different meanings: a creature, presence, or phenomena that is mysterious or eerie in nature. Yokai culture is quite popular in Japan and the Kappa is probably one of the most well known types of Yokai. I first came across a photo of this interesting creature while reading up on Japanese history and legends a few years ago and discovered that there is quite a background when it comes to this once widely feared Yokai.
No one is really sure where the name "Kappa" originated from, but stories began circling about the strange Yokai as early as 1444. The Kappa became more widely mentioned in texts between 1603-1697, where it is described in detail and stories of attempts to drag humans, horses and cows underwater were documented.
Kappa, or, "river child", is also known as Kawataro, Komahiki ("horse puller"), or Kawatora ("river tiger"). The appearance of a Kappa paints a rather grotesque picture; it is humanoid and typically about the size of a child. In addition to a large shell on its back, a Kappa is always depicted with a dish-shaped indentation on the top of its head, which is filled with water and is said to be the source of its power. Often a Kappa will have a turtle-esque face, and a warty or scaly lizard body (although there have been other depictions) and in some stories it is said that their arms are connected to each other through the torso and can slide from one side to the other. They emanate a fishy smell and can swim very well, but do occasionally come on land, where they cover their head plate with a metal cap for protection as they head to the mountains.
Kappa art by Yuko Shimizu
Kappa are said to live in and around water, such as rivers, moats, and ponds. As ultimate tricksters and troublemakers, they often emerge from these areas to wreak havoc on unsuspecting humans or cattle. Although their behaviour is often harmless, there are many stories of Kappa drowning people, kidnapping children, and eating human flesh or drinking blood of their victims. Kappa are used to warn children about the dangers lurking in rivers and lakes, and there are warning signs about Kappa by the water in many Japanese villages and towns.
If you come across a Kappa, it is said that escape can be difficult. However, Kappa have a strange obsession with politeness and a deep sense of decorum, and if you make a deep bow, they will feel obliged to return the gesture. This causes the water from their head plate to spill out and they are unable to leave the position until the plate is refilled with water from the river or place where they reside, as this is their source of power. Apparently once a person refills the water plate, a Kappa is indebted to them for all eternity. Other methods of defeating a Kappa include detaching its arms (as this is another weakness), or sumo wrestling. Again, the Kappa will perform favours or share knowledge with the person. There are stories of Kappa performing all sorts of tasks for humans, like helping farmers, bringing fresh fish, and even giving medical advice.
According to legend, Kappas love cucumbers, to the point where they prefer eating them over children or anything else. They are often depicted with cucumbers in art, and Japanese parents will often bring a cucumber to the water's edge and write the name of their children, or their own names, onto the cucumber and throw it into the water where Kappa are said to live. The hope is that this act will appease the Kappa and allow the family to bathe safely.
Kappa love cucumbers!
The Kappa is said to reside especially in the Saga Prefecture of Japan, but you can see shrines and festivals dedicated to these Yokai throughout Japan, which deal with worshipping particularly helpful Kappa and asking for a good harvest.
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