A Fateful Encounter with a Kappa
Stories about the Kappa abound throughout Japan. For example, here is an old tale passed down in Iwate (岩手) Prefecture.
Once upon a time, a man tied his horse near a stream that ran by his house. The horse suddenly reared in shock at something and bolted back to the stable. When the owner rushed to the stable and opened the feed trough, he found a Kappa hiding inside.
The Kappa was about 50 cm tall, with a child-like appearance and a bright red face. Its mouth was pointed, and the top of its head was flat like a dish, draped with soft, downy hair. As the owner prepared to beat it to death, the Kappa apologised profusely.
“Forgive me, and I will teach you how to make a medicine called Kappago.”
When the owner made the medicine exactly as the Kappa had instructed, it worked with mysterious effectiveness.
This tale explains how a miraculous, secret recipe was taught as an apology for mischief. In fact, a very similar story is preserved in Akita (秋田) Prefecture.
A man left his horse near a deep pool, and a Kappa emerged and tried to drag the horse into the water. Instead, the Kappa was dragged into the stable and found hiding in the feed trough.
After being forced to turn a large millstone (a tool for polishing rice) with its long arms and legs, the Kappa was nearly beaten to death but pleaded desperately and was finally forgiven. As an apology, the Kappa left behind a single spoon. The man is said to have made a fortune by compounding medicine with this very spoon.
In this story, the man received a spoon rather than the medicine’s recipe. Similar tales are told in Niigata (新潟) and Fukushima (福島) prefectures, suggesting that the Kappa is knowledgeable about medicine and seems to be passing its prescriptions around Japan.
A remedy, offered as an apology
The Kappa, who ambitiously plot to drag horses into the water, invariably fail. And for some reason, instead of simply escaping back into the water, they hide in the feed trough, are discovered, say something like “I’m terribly sorry,” or “As an apology,” and leave behind a token.
While giving the medicine’s recipe is the standard offering, there are times when they have even dropped off one of their arms or a broken finger. After a while, they creep back, saying, “Please return my arm (or finger).” You might think that returning a detached limb would be useless, but the Kappa claims to have a medicine that can reattach it instantly. This medicine is none other than the miraculous Kappa-derived remedy that humans receive.
Even if it’s their own property, why would they go back to retrieve it after successfully escaping? Why would they hide in such an obvious spot? It almost seems as if they want to be discovered by humans (or perhaps they are just thoughtless).
Is it possible that the Kappa appeared with the intention of bestowing the miraculous medicine all along? If so, might they have some ulterior motive? Can the Kappa be trusted? It feels dangerous to accept the medicine too readily, no matter how grateful you are. After all, it is medicine compounded by a Kappa. The ingredients alone are a cause for concern. Is it safe for human use? This is a medicine, after all, that can reattach an arm or finger.
What is Kappago?
The secret remedy, Kappago, by a resident of the aquatic world. Regardless of whether one chooses to use it, the ointment is said to be incredibly potent.
First, it can set bones. At this point, it is already beyond human comprehension. There are also rumours that it’s effective for burns and is a panacea for wounds. Since Kappa, like most water dwellers, are said to dislike metal, the Kappa’s medicine is believed to be effective on most sword cuts. It is also reputed to stop bleeding and be beneficial for bruises and even gout. At this rate, it feels like it might cure just about anything. In short, apply Kappago for any wound or injury, and you can rest easy.
While Kappago is rumoured to be a universal cure for all wounds and injuries, its greatest power is likely in bone-setting.
The Kappa doesn’t just create bone-setting medicine. In ancient times, it was believed that the Kappa would administer the treatment directly. While they seem to be just mischievous creatures in the water, the Kappa is surprisingly an expert in bone manipulation.
The Kappa Was a Bone-Setting Professional!
This is just my personal conjecture, but the Kappa’s expertise in bone-setting may be related to their hobby of sumo wrestling.
Folklore is full of stories about people being challenged to a match by a Kappa. I can’t say what a Kappa’s test of strength is like since I’ve never seen one, but they are sumo enthusiasts to the point of challenging humans. Given this passion, they must frequently suffer from sprains, dislocations, bruises, and scrapes, and likely break bones often, too.
I believe the reason they are skilled not only in treating general wounds and injuries but also in bone-setting lies in the Kappa$’s$ constant need to heal their own bodies from the wear and tear of their preferred pastime.
Incidentally, the Kappa’s hand is believed to have efficacy in curing diseases and warding off evil. Despite the potent spiritual benefits of their hand, Kappa frequently leave one of their arms behind.
Since the Kappa will return to ask for it back, I recommend that you ask they either teach you
the recipe for the medicine in exchange for the arm, or, if they are reluctant to share the secret, simply keeping the arm.
Get the Kappago and Head Outdoors
The secret medicine, Kappago, was left behind by the Kappa in return for their release.
A medicine advertised as being remarkably effective for bruises, sprains, and fractures would undoubtedly make someone a fortune if it truly existed. In fact, there is a story of a man who was told by the Kappa, “Return my arm, and I will ensure you never have to work again,” and who subsequently made a fortune from the medicine the Kappa taught him to make.
The outdoor season is also the season when injuries tend to increase. Naturally, you can’t buy Kappago at a chemist. That’s why if you happen to encounter a Kappa near the water, you should definitely try to acquire the Kappago. Tuck the ointment safely into your pocket and enjoy your outdoor adventures!
References
Kappa no Sekai (河童の世界) by Ishikawa Junichiro (石川純一郎), Jiji Tsushinsha (時事通信社), 1985
This article is translated from https://intojapanwaraku.com/culture/284127/
