A Kappa - translated as 'River-Child' is an amphibious Yokai (Demon) found in Japanese folklore. They are described as being humanoid with webbed feet and a likeliness to a turtle. They have a shell on their back that looks like a turtles. They have a dish on their head called a 'Sara', this dish retains water to allow the Kappa to walk on land. If the dish is damaged or has no water inside, the Kappa will be weakened.
Kappas love Cucumbers, sumo wrestling, bone mending,farming, eating and/or raping . They are often accused of assaulting humans in water and removing a mythical organ called the shirikodama from their victim's anus.
They are a warning to respect water, even if it looks still it may in fact be very dangerous.
Festivals are still held in honour of the Kappa, people carve family members names into cucumbers to appease the Yokai. The Kappa image is still used on water safety posters, however current versions of the Yokai are very cartoonish and cute...unlike the original depiction.
Original lino print designed and carved by Minifi
A4 bamboo paper, white