Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Are you fond of cucumbers? If not, you might want to reconsider should you stray into the territory of a Kappa. A Japanese water imp, the Kappa makes its home in rivers and ponds, using webbed hands and feet to move through its murky habitat. No taller than a ten-year old, the Kappa has a tortoise-type shell on its back, ape-like features, and a beak like a bird.
Hold that image and add another distinguishing characteristic: The Kappa’s head is crowned by a bowl-like depression for storing water. This is the Kappa’s source of strength. Some believe the water contained in the bowl empowers the creature to roam freely on land. Without the water, it is confined to its river home.
To escape a Kappa, bow to it. Although these creatures have a nasty streak, they possess a refined sense of etiquette, and will always bow politely in return.
Oops, there goes the water! It makes you wonder a bit about their intelligence. For that matter, bow repeatedly and the Kappa will return the courtesy, empting its bowl even though the loss of water renders it powerless and forces it from land.
Children are taught to bow from a young age, for they comprise the Kappa’s favorite meal. Despite their displays of etiquette, these guys are far from genteel. They’ve been known to kidnap, destroy crops, rape and pillage. The only meal they enjoy more than children is munching on a cucumber. Remember I said a ‘cuke would come in handy?
Apparently the cucumber is equivalent to culinary nirvana for a Kappa. For this reason, Japanese parents would carve the names of their children on cucumbers and toss them into a river where the family bathed, hoping the vile creatures would leave them alone.
That’s not to say the Kappa wasn’t without redeeming qualities. Some clever individuals were able to dupe them into performing various tasks — farm irrigation, household chores, even sharing their considerable medical expertise. Kappas are highly knowledgeable of medicine, and according to legend, taught men how to set bones. If tricked into swearing an oath, the Kappa’s stringent sense of correctness will hold it bound to the promise, and the human.
So the next time you go swimming in a murky pond or river, have a cucumber handy. At the very least, practice your bowing on the shore! 🙂
From the Pen of Mae Clair 
A very strange wee beastie the Kappa. Certainly enough to put me off murky waters. The bowl on the head seems a very odd arrangement. I hope if I ever meet one it is as polite as the stories say.
LikeLike
Me too. I think I will just do an excess of bowing, LOL.
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing this information. What an unusual creature, the Kappa. I had not heard of him, but he reminds me of gremlins. It’s also interesting that he likes flesh and cucumbers. I appreciate your advice to advice to carry one. What happens if I get the munchies?
LikeLike
Scary thought about the munchies, isn’t it, LOL! I’ve always been fond of cucumbers but now I have a new reason to like them! 🙂
LikeLike
Another new one for me. Where you find these creatures, Mae? Keep ’em coming. These posts are great.
LikeLike
Glad you enjoy them, Emma. I have to be honest that this particular fella was a new one for me too!
LikeLike
Hmm, must be time to stop using my cucumber body wash. Wouldn’t want a Kappa to mistake me for something edible. Great post Mae.
LikeLike
LOL! Good one, Gemma! I use cucumber body lotion too. There’s a scary thought!
LikeLike
That thing looks way too much like a frog with a beak for my comfort. *Shudders* No wonder the Japanese are always bowing! So glad I hate eating cucumbers…I’ll just write my name on a whole bunch and throw them into the nearest canal/water source.
LikeLike
Kitt, I get such a kick out of your frog phobia. I know they freak you out, but I can’t help myself, LOL. Given how much you abhor the things and how much the Kappa DOES look like a frog, it sounds like a wise move to stock up on cukes! 😀
LikeLike
LOL! Glad my fears entertain you. 😉
LikeLike
I think maybe I’ll just avoid the murky waters of Japan altogether. I’m safe here in the desert…at least I think so… Mae?
LikeLike
Yep. It sounds like you’ve got the best safety net, Debbie. Unless the Kappas run out of cucumbers and start a migratory search 😉
LikeLike
Okay, Mae: I’m having a hard time swallowing this one. Do I have to worry much if I don’t go in the water. I haven’t bowed in a long time but my granny taught me a mean curtsey (does that count for anything)? Probably not. I also love cucumbers and have been debating about putting in a vegetable garden this spring. But, if I have to share the cucumbers with the pesky little devils, maybe I’ll stick to my regular schedule of pandering to the garden fairies.
LikeLike
I’d definitely rather be sharing the garden with the regular crew of faeries, Sheri, LOL! Just in case though it might be a good idea to brush up on your courtesy. As polite as Kappas are, I think any proper gentleman water imp is going to be certain to bow in return 🙂
LikeLike