fredag den 26. november 2010

Kappa (Folklore)


It is Friday and this means it’s time for a mythological or folkloric creature! Some of you may remember that I promised not to talk about a Greek creature this time and I will keep my word ;) So here is a creature from Japanese folklore, the Kappa!


The kappa is a cool little creature from Japanese folklore. It is kind of small, usually a little smaller than a human. It is also said to look like a mix between a monkey and a frog or a turtle! Kappas are said to have a small pool of water at the top of their heads, and if you ever encounter one you should bow before him, because then he will do the same to you. When he bows he will spill the water from his head and won’t be able to harm you!

The kappa we see today has gotten kind of soft. He is more often portrayed like a cute cartoonish character instead of what he was originally. This idea of making scary creatures from folklore soft seems to happen all over the world, and that is pretty sad if you ask me.

19 kommentarer:

  1. Close to teenage mutant ninja turtles rofl

    SvarSlet
  2. haven't you ever heard that song "frog and turtle DNA just don't mix"

    SvarSlet
  3. I'd love to know how monsters like these came into being, probably tales to scare children.

    SvarSlet
  4. Mutant Teenager Ninja turtles are Kappas lol

    SvarSlet
  5. the Japanese must have been doing some crazy drugs when they came up with this! he's got a pool of water on his head? is this in representation of his power, and the spilling of the water is supposed to illustrate his loss of physical ability? i don't understand this one.

    SvarSlet
  6. What happens if you don't bow?

    SvarSlet
  7. ever heard of nitori? She's a cute kappa

    SvarSlet
  8. Did you say Venosaur?

    Man, I'm back, maybe you'd like to see my new post.

    SvarSlet
  9. looks a little like the komodo dragon without the tail. cool post

    SvarSlet
  10. The Kappa seems to be inspired by the animals you would come across in Japan. The thing about bowing to a Kappa so he spills his pool of water, I think that is to reinforce the tradition of bowing to other people in Japan. Be great if you could confirm if this is true!

    SvarSlet
  11. you put a nice post today!

    SvarSlet
  12. Zoy:
    I'm no expert, but I think you're absolutely right! :)

    Thanks for all the comments guys!

    SvarSlet
  13. this is interesting the Japanese had many mystical creatures that we ourselves dont even know yet. cause most of those monsters are hidden in old scriptures from the early b.c

    SvarSlet