The kappa, also known as "kawataro" or "komahiki" in Japanese, means "river-boy" or "water monkey" in English. This animal named Kappa is mentioned in many legends of Japan which are hundreds of years old. This animal can be roughly humanoid in form, reaching up to four feet tall, resembling the size of a human child. The kappa has a layer of green or blue scales over its body and some people believe that the kappa has a shell like a turtle on its back.
It is an amphibious creature with webbed, thumbless hands and feet, allowing it to swim faster in the water. It has a turtle-like beak on its mouth, but despite this, it can speak many human languages. Furthermore, on the top of its head, you will find a cavity filled with water. It is said that if this water sloughs off from this cavity, the kappa loses all its power, rendering it completely inactive, and may even kill it.
Kappa is often inhabited near freshwater sources such as ponds and rivers in Japan. Pets like dogs, horses, and cows are more at risk from this animal. Not only this, but some people also believe that kappa can attack small children or women walking alone near rivers or ponds. After attacking, the kappa carries them into deeper water where it drowns them to death. Then it drinks the blood of the dead humans and starts eating their flesh. It is also written in the legends of Japan that kappa can be controlled by humans. It is said that if humans respect kappa, it also respects them in return.
Generally, Kappa can become harmful when they are not respected as gods. If someone somehow befriends Kappa, it may perform several tasks for him. Because kappa is a very intelligent creature who has a lot of knowledge of medicines and can also help farmers irrigate their land. According to some people, kappa's nature can also be friendly as it is said that if you give kappa his favorite meals like cucumber, fermented soybeans, and kabocha (Japanese pumpkin), then it will agree to obey everything you say.
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