 |
| Hokusai, detail of a bestiary drawing showing a kappa |
In the depths of Japan’s bodies of
water lives an imp known at the kappa. It looks like a monkey with a beak that is the size
of child with webbed hands and feet. On its back is a tortoise shell and it has
a protrusion that hold a jelly substance that is the source of its power.
 |
| Portrait of one of the kappa in front of JR Tono Station in Iwate Prefecture, Japan by Iwatebud |
The kappa enjoys luring people into
deep treacherous waters so they drown. Then the imp enters the boding and
devours its blood and organs. It especially likes the liver. Some stories tell
of the kappa losing its arm. It will promise people favors, such as not
attacking local villagers or teaching someone to heal, in exchange for its arm
back.
Do you like stories about angels, demons, and the supernatural? Pick up a copy of "A Prescription for Delirium" available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords.
Kappas! Yet another creature I really enjoy from folklore. :) I remember seeing them featured in an episode of the cartoon Arthur once... (I should not know this, but I do. HAH.)
ReplyDeleteI watched a few episodes of Arthur. I wish I'd seen the one you were talking about.
DeleteNever heard of kappas before. the first picture looks quite sweet, but the second... Scary!
ReplyDeleteShort Story Ideas &
Just Ermie
That is certainly an ugly beast to find.
ReplyDeleteFather Dragon Writes
That's very scary.
ReplyDeleteit is. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteThe drawing is lovely, but it's so deceiving considering your description of what the Kappas do. Scary creatures.
ReplyDeleteVisting from the A to Z, glad I did.
Thanks for stopping by. Yeah, I think part of the deciving is to lure people in.
DeleteGross.
ReplyDeleteVery.
Delete