The kappa prefers the lakes and rivers of Japan, but will settle for the ocean if everything else is claimed. In some Japanese villages, the threat of the kappa is taken seriously. There are signs beside many of the watering holes warning of the creature.

The word kappa translates to “river child”. They are normally thought to be a harmless trickster, usually misplacing things to distract their victims. However, they will play horrid tricks on people by kidnapping children. Sometimes this bit of play ends badly, since one of the kappa’s favorite foods happens to be children. To engender the return of a child, sometimes a trade can be made with cucumbers.

Descriptions vary from having big eyes and a long nose, to looking very much like a monkey, having a turtle shell on his back, and sometimes having a horse’s tail. They are described as being no bigger than a human child, with semi-humanoid features. Their skin is usually scaly and varying in shades of yellow or blue. They also have webbed hands and feet which aid them in their watery homes. One way to tell a Kappa is near is by the heavy smell of fish.

Usually has a bowl of water on its head. As long as the bowl is in place and full, he will remain at full strength and can drag something as large as a horse or cow into the water. However, if empty, his strength is lacking and anyone can catch him. They aren’t about to let you just grab the bowl and dump it, so a trick that you can use to empty the bowl is by showing great manners. The kappas are unerringly polite. So if greeted by one, bow low before it. It will return the salute, spilling the water from the bowl on their head, and thus weakening themselves. Some people believe that if the bowl is refilled by a human, the kappa will have to serve that human for eternity.

Another way to trick a kappa is to make them swear an oath. They are always true to their word, whether they like it or not, and will always follow through with what they swear to.

Kappas are terrified of fire. Because of this, the Japanese use festivals to shoot off fireworks. The fireworks are thought to scare kappas away from the villages.  

Kappas are intelligent creatures, able to speak and learn languages. They are fascinated by human society and are drawn to villages out of curiosity instead of malevolence. They may even befriend humans if they are shown respect, given presents, and are taught something new.

Once befriended, the kappa will do simple tasks for their human companions, such as irrigating fields or checking swim-holes for dangerous creatures. Legend claims that they taught the practice of bone-setting to humans and are extremely knowledgeable in medicine.

While they are semi-benevolent creatures, it is best to keep a wary eye on a kappa. If you decide to swim in a pond in Japan, it might be a good idea to follow the traditions that the Japanese themselves sometimes follow. Inscribe your name and the names of anyone else with you, into a cucumber and throw it into the water. That will placate the kappa and they will most likely leave you alone.

Sources:

Written by Mastin, Colleayn O. Illus. by Sovak, Jan. “The Magic of Mythical Creatures.” B.C.: Grasshopper Publishing, 1997. Print.