Magical Magic Creature Spotlight: Kappa

[sweettalkeress.livejournal.com]

Alright, this creature is the shizznit for anyone out there who knows or cares anything about Japanese culture.

Kappa

MOM Classification: XXXX

The Kappa is a water-dwelling creature from Japan. The closest description the book gives us (sorry, “often said to look like”—what, you expect us to believe that the author hasn’t actually seen one? What years of research and globetrotting to get up-close and personal with all the adorable little magical animals?) is that of a monkey with scales instead of fur, and a hollow on top of its head which has water in it. If the Kappa is tricked into bowing this water spills out, thus weakening the Kappa. It is also noted that the Kappa feeds on human blood, but it won’t harm someone if it is tossed a cucumber with the person’s name on it. Actually, in Japanese mythology Kappa were evidently assumed to do everything from pulling pranks to raping women (depending on the myth), the former of which brings to mind Rowling’s depiction of the Imp. Riiiight. What Rowling does not mention is the tendency of Kappa to keep their promises owing to their sense of honor.

Kappa has also provided the basis for many lovable anime characters, such as in video games.

Incidentally, when the book mentions that Kappa are Japanese, Harry’s added some notes: “Snape hasn’t read this either.” I do remember a scene in which Snape makes the claim that Kappa are from Mongolia; my question is, why wouldn’t Snape know where Kappa are from? Because Snape is supposed to be very smart. My guess is that either Rowling didn’t know at the time that Kappa were a Japanese thing, or else she wanted to make Snape look bad to make Harry feel more justified in hating him, in however illogical a context.

Those scales? All done by hand, all in MS Paint. You're welcome!

Comments

[kahran042]

Or the question was something like, "Are kappa more commonly found in Finland or Mongolia?" :)

[hwyla.livejournal.com]

If I recall correctly, Snape said Mongolia over Japan - I think it was over a returned essay? Something about Remus shouldn't have given full points for the Japan answer?

But ever since we learned that Snape was never satisfied to blindly trust what a book said, I figured he had some other source of information.

[kahran042]

Actually, the quote was "That is incorrect, the kappa is more commonly found in
Mongolia." So, I still stand by my theory.

[lynn-waterfall.livejournal.com]

That makes sense. The book doesn't mention Japan, or anywhere else as an alternative to Mongolia; just the line you quoted. Presumably Snape was being sarcastic; the assignment could easily have mentioned somewhere even less correct. Snape does say, after all, "Professor Lupin gave this eight out of ten? I wouldn’t have given it three…"

It would hardly be surprising if Harry failed to recognize Snape's sarcasm, particularly if he didn't know the right answer, himself. (And he can't have *known* Mongolia was wrong at the time or he/the narrator would have commented on it.)

[sweettalkeress.livejournal.com]

So, kind-of like, "Kappa are from thus-and-such a place? Yes, and they're from Mongolia as well![/sarcasm]"