A super fun subject to get tattooed when considering a Japanese tattoo are Yokai. Yokai are supernatural beings from Japanese folklore, ranging from shapeshifting animals, inanimate household objects which spring to life upon their 100th birthday, to loyal guardians of temples and other sacred sites.. the list goes on! Yokai serve both as stories to educate children to be careful and respect nature, all the way to reminding us of the ugliness of our own mortal feelings such as jealousy.
Kappa from Toriyama’s “Gazu Hyakki Yagyō” (The Illustrated Night Parade of a Hundred Demons).
Kappa by Horimatsu Bunshin.
There are hundreds of Yokai to discover, along with beautiful reference imagery of these mythological phenomena, which are a favourite to tattoo amongst Japanese artists. We thought we’d do a wee article series on some of our favourite Yokai from Japanese stories, so you can learn more about what they are, weird things they do, as well as show you how they can make rad tattoos!
One of the most famous Yokai is the Kappa. The Kappa is a water dwelling, upright walking, scaly amphibian humanoid creature flossed up with a creepy beak, turtle shell, European monk like haircut and a dish of water on his head. He’s only as tall as a child or smallish monkey, but he packs a serious punch as long as his dish of water he carries on his head is full. Remember this important fact regarding the water dish, there is a chance it could save your life if you ever have to pull a fast one on a Kappa in your life. More to come on that soon!
Kappa by Horimatsu Bunshin.
Kappa generally hang out in bodies of water, such as rivers. The name Kappa translates roughly to “River Child” or “Water Sprite”. They are said to smell heavily of fish, possess incredible strength and enjoy dragging people, horses, cows and other animals much larger than them down under water and holding them there until they drown. Nice. They also have a penchant for eggplants, melons, squash, but mostly cucumbers and.. anuses. Yep, anuses. Kappa are MAJORLY into the butt. So not only are these water dwelling creatures strange and dangerous, they’re also a bit freakaaaaay. It’s said that they like to drown people, because the butthole apparently loosens up while you’re drowning, so it makes it easier for them to suck a small ball called a “shirikodama”(thought to be the human soul) said to be located in the anus that the Kappa has an acquired taste for. They drown you, to suck your soul out of your butt. Take a minute for that to absorb if you need to!
If you ever needed a reason to keep out of an unfamiliar body of water, fear of a Kappa assault is a pretty good one. Maybe next time you’re going to a lake for a swim, bring a cucumber to chuck in the water as an offering, just in case.
Although once feared, in modern times Kappa are generally beloved and used to warn people about dangerous bodies of water, and to also educate people about keeping rivers, lakes, ponds and the ocean free of pollution.
Another kink of the Kappa is to loiter deep inside of toilet water. If you remain on the toilet for too long, they may try and stroke your butt or even suck your soul out while you’re taking your time on the toilet. If you’re a woman, there is also a chance they will try and impregnate you with a creepy Kappa/human hybrid baby. Perhaps this is a reminder to include a good amount of fibre in your diet? Definitely a good reason to avoid the old “shit and scroll” if I ever heard one.
Aside from it’s sex-pest tendencies, Kappa do have some admirable qualities. A Kappa is extremely strong, both in the water and on land, but he isn’t a thug. He’s actually incredibly well mannered! Remember the dish of water he carries on his head? This also his Kryptonite. He loves to be challenged to a wrestle, and before wrestling, you must always offer a deep bow to your opponent. When he bows, the water spills from the dish, and the drier the dish the less powerful he becomes. The deeper your bow, the deeper he will bow in return, rendering him pretty much powerless. It is said that once you have outwitted a Kappa, he will be your friend and fierce protector for life. Which can come in handy, as he is said to hold great mastery in medicine, helping his friends recover from health ailments and broken bones. So it pays to be vigilant around water, and remember your manners in case you ever encounter one of these mysterious Yokai. Who knows, you might make a friend for life.
Kappa ramen bowl painting by Tom Tom.
Sunset Tattoo is the home of Japanese tattooing in Auckland, New Zealand. We are obsessed with Japanese tattoos! If you’re considering getting a Yokai tattoo, or any other Japanese subject, get in touch with the studio to turn your tattoo dreams into an reality. We have multiple artists who specialise in this revered style, each with their own personal flair. For more details, contact us!
CONTACT:
www.sunsettattoo.co.nz
info@sunsettattoo.co.nz