The kappa is said to be roughly humanoid in form and about the size of a child, inhabiting the ponds and rivers of Japan.
Clumsy on land, they are at home in the water, and thrive during the warm months.
It is typically greenish in color (or yellow-blue), and either scaly or slimy skinned, with webbed hands and feet, and a turtle-like carapace on its back.
Inhuman traits include three anuses that allow them to pass three times as much gas as humans.
Kappa are generally the size and shape of a human child, yet despite their small stature they are physically stronger than a grown man.

One peculiar trait is that it has a cavity on its head called a sara ("dish", "bowl", or "plate") that retains water or some sort of liquid, which is regarded as the source of the kappa's power or life force.
This cavity must be full whenever a kappa is away from the water; if it ever dries out, or if its water is spilled, kappa loses its power and may even die.
The kappa are sometimes said to smell like fish, and they can swim like them.

According to some accounts, its arms are connected to each other through the torso and can slide from one side to the other.
While they are primarily water creatures, they do on occasion venture onto land.
When they do, the "dish" on their head can be covered with a metal cap for protection.

A hairy kappa is called a hyōsube.
The kappa is said to be roughly humanoid in form and about the size of a child, inhabiting the ponds and rivers of Japan. Clumsy on land, they are at home in the water, and thrive during the warm months. It is typically greenish in color (or yellow-blue), and either scaly or slimy skinned, with webbed hands and feet, and a turtle-like carapace on its back. Inhuman traits include three anuses that allow them to pass three times as much gas as humans. Kappa are generally the size and shape of a human child, yet despite their small stature they are physically stronger than a grown man.
One peculiar trait is that it has a cavity on its head called a sara ("dish", "bowl", or "plate") that retains water or some sort of liquid, which is regarded as the source of the kappa's power or life force. This cavity must be full whenever a kappa is away from the water; if it ever dries out, or if its water is spilled, kappa loses its power and may even die. The kappa are sometimes said to smell like fish, and they can swim like them.
According to some accounts, its arms are connected to each other through the torso and can slide from one side to the other. While they are primarily water creatures, they do on occasion venture onto land. When they do, the "dish" on their head can be covered with a metal cap for protection.
A hairy kappa is called a hyōsube.
Kappa (folklore)