In traditional Japanese folklore a kappa, “river-child”… is a reptiloid kami with similarities to yōkai. Kappa can become harmful when not respected as gods. Accounts typically depict them as green, human-like beings with webbed hands and feet and turtle-like carapaces on their backs. A depression on the head, called a “dish”, retains water, and if this is damaged or its liquid is lost (either through spilling or drying up), a kappa becomes severely weakened. The kappa favor cucumbers and love to engage in sumo-wrestling. They are often accused of assaulting humans in water and removing a mythical organ called the shirikodama from their victim’s anus.
Appearance List Bakemono no e (化物之繪, “Illustrations of Supernatural Creatures”, Edo Period), Gazu Hyakki Yagyō (画図百鬼夜行, “The Illustrated Night Parade of a Hundred Demons” or The Illustrated Demon Horde’s Night Parade, 1776) Vol. 1 “Yin”
Description In traditional Japanese folklore a kappa, “river-child”… is a reptiloid kami with similarities to yōkai. Kappa can become harmful when not respected as gods. Accounts typically depict them as green, human-like beings with webbed hands and feet and turtle-like carapaces on their backs. A depression on the head, called a “dish”, retains water, and if this is damaged or its liquid is lost (either through spilling or drying up), a kappa becomes severely weakened. The kappa favor cucumbers and love to engage in sumo-wrestling. They are often accused of assaulting humans in water and removing a mythical organ called the shirikodama from their victim’s anus.
