Kappa

(Kappa)

河童

Possibly the most quintessential Yōkai amongst humans. A mischievous and sometimes dangerous water spirit, Kappa are human-like amphibious creatures about the size of a young child. Often found inhabiting lakes, ponds, and rivers, Kappa spend most of their lives in the water and thrive during warm seasons. While typically green in color, Kappa can sometimes be found in shades that range from bright red or a blue reminiscent of the clear water they live in. They have beaks and shells like turtles and have rubbery skin that they can remove at will. Their elastic arms are attached to eachother within their shell, so if one side is pulled long, the other becomes shorter. Another strange aspect of Kappa are their three anuses that they use to fart on eachother and humans. The most notable trait of a Kappa is the dish-like indent in their skulls called sara. They must keep water in this dish at all times or they lose all their power and become immobile, they might even die. When they do leave the water, accounts claim that they cover their sara with a metal cap for protection.

Kappa enjoy stealing and eating cucumbers from farmers and love to sumo wrestle. These Yōkai are well versed in medicine, especially setting bones, and have been known to share their knowledge with humans. Kappa have been known to befriend other Yōkai and sometimes even humans.  Because Kappa are so intelligent, manners are very important to them. If you bow to a Kappa, they will feel compelled to bow back, and in doing so spill their cup. If spared, the Kappa will swear loyalty and friendship for the rest of their lives.

However, Kappa are not all friendly. They often are accused of assaulting humans in water and drowning or even eating them alive. Kappa love cucumber, but they love a mythical organ called shirikodama even more. This legendary organ is located in the anus and Kappa have no qualms in reaching inside to grab it and rip it out.  (A good way to avoid this is to fart on them.)

This doll is made of polymer clay, acrylic paint, glass eyes and a shell. He is 5.5" tall, 3" wide, and 5.5" deep.

((This doll is a personal interpretation inspired by japanese folklore. I do not speak for, or claim to be any kind of authority on Japanese culture, as I am not Japanese.))