The kappa may be adorable, but it has very few boundaries.

July 21, 2016 9:10 AM

How a Mythical Imp that Snuck Up People's Large Intestines Became a Symbol of Japan
posted by Johnny Wallflower (22 comments total)

Dibs on shirikodama for a band name.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 9:10 AM on July 21, 2016

I am starting to get Pokémon Go fatigue.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 9:33 AM on July 21, 2016 [1 favorite]

The subject of this very cute film from a few years back, complete with enthusiastic musical numbers.
posted by remembrancer at 9:37 AM on July 21, 2016 [1 favorite]

What does this have to do with Pokemon Go?
posted by andrewesque at 9:48 AM on July 21, 2016

What does this have to do with Pokemon Go?

When Pokemon Go Kappa strike!
posted by srboisvert at 9:54 AM on July 21, 2016 [2 favorites]

From the article: repelling the kappa with a fart
warning: butt
oh, for the img tag
posted by zippy at 9:56 AM on July 21, 2016 [5 favorites]

The Kappa novel by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa mentioned in the article is incredible and I recommend it wholeheartedly.
posted by dng at 9:57 AM on July 21, 2016 [1 favorite]

When Pokemon Go Kappa strike!

I see what you did there.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 9:57 AM on July 21, 2016

repelling the kappa with a fart

That's my excuse from now on!
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 9:59 AM on July 21, 2016 [3 favorites]

Gojyo, forever my favorite kappa.
posted by nicebookrack at 10:31 AM on July 21, 2016 [1 favorite]

What does this have to do with Kancho?
posted by Confess, Fletch at 10:36 AM on July 21, 2016

How are the traffic advisories featuring kappas structured? "Do not cross against the light...or kappa will crawl up your ass and rip your liver out. The more you know."
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 10:57 AM on July 21, 2016 [2 favorites]

There was a river monsters episode on the kappa a while back and they decided it was actually a myth derived from the real giant salamander
And here's an even sillier Ancient Aliens clip
posted by rmless at 11:38 AM on July 21, 2016

In chapter 29 of The Legendary Musings of Professor Munakata, the titular folklorist speculates that the origin of the legend of the kappa is... well, read yourselves :D

More kappa in the episode of Japanology Plus dedicated to yokai.
posted by sukeban at 11:50 AM on July 21, 2016

Thanks to kappas and the enormously testicled tanuki, my love for Japanese folklore is at an all time high.
posted by Hermione Granger at 11:56 AM on July 21, 2016

Kappa emerging from a pond in Hyogo. Tired Kappa being renewed, now enjoying a shirikodama.
posted by misozaki at 3:28 PM on July 21, 2016

Also isn't repelling the kappa with a fart an Eno composition?
posted by zippy at 8:25 PM on July 21, 2016 [1 favorite]

That's a common mistake. The original UK title was Abseiling The Kappa With A Fart, which was changed for the less-sophisticated US market to Rapelling The Kappa With A Fart.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 9:31 PM on July 21, 2016 [2 favorites]

Oh right, that was the last track of the super-rare pressing of here come the warm jets on the brown note label.
posted by zippy at 12:17 AM on July 22, 2016 [1 favorite]

warning: butt

I must steal this.


I don't even know what for just yet but it is absolutely necessary and relevant to my life.
posted by louche mustachio at 12:47 AM on July 22, 2016

To add to lm's delight, more historical Japanese fartzlol: the He-gassen scroll.
posted by scruss at 1:27 AM on July 22, 2016 [1 favorite]

After a hard day of organ snatching, the kappa relaxes at home.
posted by Luther_Blissett at 5:14 AM on July 22, 2016