July 4, 2012
In New Page Books’ regular Creature of the Month slot at their blog, Oberon Zell-Ravenheart delves into the world of the mysterious Kappa…
He says:
“In Japanese Shinto tradition, Kappas are malevolent water spirits who pull little children into the water to drown and devour them, and attack travelers and animals. These amphibious creatures dwell in lakes, rivers, and ponds, and are typically described as roughly humanoid in form, about the size of a 6-10-year-old child. They have webbed fingers and toes with five digits, frog-like legs, simian bodies with mottled green, blue, or yellowish-brown scales, and are sometimes depicted with a turtle shell on their backs. Some are shown with long-haired monkey faces, and some with turtle beaks or duck bills. They are said to smell like fish, and they can certainly swim like them.”
Got you interested? If so, here’s the full piece…
About Nick Redfern
Punk music fan, Tennents Super and Carlsberg Special Brew beer fan, horror film fan, chocolate fan, like to wear black clothes, like to stay up late. Work as a writer.
Filed under Folklore, Lair of the Beasts, Merbeings