Kappa

The Kappa is a classic Japanese water creature described as a child-sized, reptilian being with a dish-like depression on its head that holds water—its source of power. Often depicted with a beaked mouth, webbed hands, and a turtle-like shell, the Kappa is notorious for mischievous and sometimes deadly pranks, such as pulling swimmers under or peering up kimonos. However, folklore also portrays them as sticklers for politeness; bowing to a Kappa might cause it to bow back, spilling its head water and rendering it powerless. The legend serves as both a playful caution to keep children from dangerous waters and a reflection of Japan’s animistic traditions, where even rivers and ponds are alive with spirits. Today, the Kappa remains a beloved, if eerie, figure in Japanese festivals and art—bridging the gap between cryptid menace and folkloric charm.