K is for Kappa

Name: Kappa

Area of Origin: Japan

Literally translated as “River Child” a Kappa is a Yokai found in traditional Japanese folklore. The creatures are generally depicted as roughly humanoid in shape, and childlike in size and stature. It’s scaly skin comes in different colors, though are shown to be predominantly green. Said to inhabit the rivers and ponds of Japan, the Kappa have webbed hands and feet to aid them with swimming. Appearances vary wildly among different regions, though the most consistent features are a beak, a shell on their backs, and a hairless bowl-like area on the top of their skull, usually filled with water. These cavities are seen as the source of the Kappa’s power, and must be full when the Kappa is away from a river; if it spills or dries out, the Kappa could lose its power or die. They are used to warn children of the dangers of lurking around rivers and ponds, and are described as mischievous tricksters. Their antics range from relatively innocent, such as pranking passerby and looking under their clothes, to the evil, such as the drowning of people, kidnapping of children and violating of women.