Kappa (folklore)

, are legendary creatures; a type of water sprite found in Japanese folklore. However they are also considered to be a part of cryptozoology, due to claims of sightings. In Shintō they are considered to be one of many "suijin" (literally "water-deity").

Appearance

Most depictions show "kappa" as child-sized humanoids, though their bodies are often more like those of monkeys or frogs than human beings. Some descriptions say their faces are apelike, while others show them with beaked visages more like those of tortoises or with duck beaks. Pictures usually show "kappa" with thick shells and scaly skin that ranges in color from green to yellow or blue.

"Kappa" supposedly inhabit the ponds and rivers of Japan and have various features to aid them in this environment, such as webbed hands and feet. They are sometimes even said to smell like fish, and they can certainly swim like them. The expression "kappa-no-kawa-nagare" ("a "kappa" drowning in a river") conveys the idea that even experts make mistakes.

The most notable feature of the "kappa", however, is the water-filled depressions atop their heads. These cavities are surrounded by scraggly hair, and this type of bobbed hair style is named "okappa-atama" for the creatures. The "kappa" derive their incredible strength from these liquid-filled holes, and anyone confronted with one may exploit this weakness by simply getting the "kappa" to spill the water from its head. The "kappa" possesses a deep sense of etiquette, so one trusted method is to appeal to this, for a "kappa" cannot help but return a deep bow, even if it means losing its head-water in the process. Once depleted, the "kappa" is seriously weakened and may even die. Other tales say that this water allows "kappa" to move about on land, and once emptied, the creatures are immobilized. Stubborn children are encouraged to follow the custom of bowing on the grounds that it is a defense against "kappa".In addition, the Japanese Folklore says that the "kappa" is a master of Koppo; the bone-breaking technique, which was actually invented by them.

Behavior

"Kappa" are mischievous troublemakers. Their pranks range from the relatively innocent, such as loudly passing gas or looking up women's kimonos, to the more troublesome, such as stealing crops, kidnapping children. In fact, small children are one of the gluttonous "kappa"'s favorite meals, though they will eat adults as well. They feed on these hapless victims by sucking out the nihongo|"shirikodama"|尻子玉| [http://dic.yahoo.co.jp/dsearch?enc=UTF-8&p=%E5%B0%BB%E5%AD%90%E7%8E%89&dtype=0&dname=0na&stype=0&pagenum=1&index=09408900] (or entrails, blood, liver, or "life force", depending on the legend) through the anus. Even today, signs warning about "kappa" appear by bodies of water in some Japanese towns and villages. "Kappa" are also said to be afraid of fire, and some villages hold fireworks festivals each year to scare the spirits away.

"Kappa" are not entirely antagonistic to mankind, however. They are curious of human civilization, and they can understand and speak Japanese. They thus sometimes challenge those they encounter to various tests of skill, such as shogi or sumo wrestling. They may even befriend human beings in exchange for gifts and offerings, especially cucumbers, the only food "kappa" are known to enjoy more than human children. Japanese parents sometimes write the names of their children (or themselves) on cucumbers and toss them into "kappa"-infested waters in order to mollify the creatures and allow the family to bathe. There is even a kind of cucumber-filled sushi roll named for the "kappa", the "kappamaki".

Once befriended, "kappa" have been known to perform any number of tasks for human beings, such as helping farmers irrigate their land. They are also highly knowledgeable of medicine, and legend states that they taught the art of bone setting to mankind. Due to these benevolent aspects, some shrines are dedicated to the worship of particularly helpful "kappa". "Kappa" may also be tricked into helping people. Their deep sense of decorum will not allow them to break an oath, for example, so if a human being can dupe a "kappa" into promising to help him, the "kappa" has no choice but to follow through.

ee also

*Kappabashi-dori, a neighborhood in Tokyo. "Kappa" here is a homophone, but the homophony is [http://www.kappabashi.or.jp/ exploited] .

External links

*Mark Schumacher (2004). [http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/kappa.shtml Kappa -- River Imp or Sprite] . Retrieved March 23, 2006.
*Garth Haslam (2000). [http://www.sonic.net/~anomaly/oniko/epaug99.htm#places Kappa Quest 2000] . Retrieved December 14, 2006.
*Kirainet (2007). For a look at "Kappa" in popular culture [http://www.kirainet.com/english/kappa Kirainet] . Retrieved May 6, 2007.