Title:

河童 (kappa)
kappa

=====================

These tops depict a kappa and a cucumber. Kappa are yōkai (supernatural creatures) from traditional Japanese folklore. Kappa are typically depicted as somewhat humanoid and the size of a child, although sometimes they can appear more like birds or turtles. They are said to live in rivers and ponds, where they cause mischief, occasionally kidnapping or drowning people or animals. Sometimes they are depicted as balancing a bowl or plate of water on their heads, which is a technique they supposedly use to travel outside of their watery homes. Even today, some areas of Japan will have signs near rivers warning people about kappa. Kappa may also be considered friendly or helpful, helping humans with water-related tasks like irrigation or fishing. Each part of this figure can be removed and turns into a separate top.

***

***

Hiroi Michiaki: And this is a kappa.

Janell Landis: Kappa.

Paula Curtis: Ahh.

Hiroi: Yeah. Kappa, kappa in legend are living things [as opposed to ghosts or spirits], you know. They live in water, so they’re good luck against fire. And if you unfasten all of these [parts] they become tops.