Legend of Kappa in Ogata region !!

Kappa is one of the most famous traditional monsters (Yōkai) in Japan.

In shintō, Kappa is considered to be a water deity. In Japanese Buddhism, on the other hand, it is considered to be a kind of a hungry ogre. It is said that Kappa used to live in rivers, ponds or swamps as it’s a type of water imp.

 

Actually, Many places in Japan have legends related to kappa.

In Ogata region of Joetsu, there is a Kappa story that has passed on as a legend.

 

Even though I have lived in Joetsu for many years, I had no idea about the legend until my friend, who is from Ogata taught me.

 

 Here is the story of “kappa of Unoike” ↓ 

“Long time ago, a Kappa lived in a pond called Unoike, in Ogata area. One day, while a local young man was washing his horse by the lake, the horse suddenly turned aggressive. To his surprise, he saw a Kappa grabbing his horse’s tail. The young man mustered up his courage and held down the kappa on the ground. When he was about to break the kappa’s plate attaching on its head, the kappa apologized to him again and again with tears in his eyes. As he felt pity for the kappa, he let it go under the condition of not doing bad things from now on. Since that day, the kappa has not ever appeared at the pond.”  (Joetsu city HP) 

 

 

Kappa festival (Kappa matsuri) is held in Ogata region for letting kappa enjoy outside world once a year!

This year, it will be held on 1st and 2nd of June at Ogata Campsite.

You can see a lot of Kappa enjoying the festival !!