Overview

Kappas are Japanese water-dwelling demons that feed on human blood. They are known for attacking and strangling people who invade their shallow ponds.

Appearance

Kappas look like monkeys covered in fish-like scales and a shell (described as similar to that of a tortoise), with webbed hands and feet, and a unique water-filled depression or bowl (called a “sara” in Japanese) attached to the tops of their heads. Their primary diet is human blood; they feed on anyone who wades into their inhabited ponds or rivers. The water within their heads is the source of all of their strength. Kappas have a strong sense of politeness, so if a person were to bow to them, they would feel compelled to bow back. If the creature were tricked into bowing its head, some of its water would spill, and the kappa would subsequently weaken or be forced to flee. Another form of kappa protection involves throwing a cucumber inscribed with the thrower’s name; the creature will take the vegetable and leave the person alone. The Revulsion Jinx is also known to be effective against kappas, causing them to release their grip if they latch onto someone or something in water. They are more solitary creatures, not known to form groups or communities. They are also quite territorial over their shallow waters. Kappas are not regarded as highly intelligent. There are no known subspecies of kappa or any known kappa attacks on characters in the Harry Potter universe. There are also no named kappa characters. Handling kappas is discouraged if not properly trained.

History

Kappas are found mainly in shallow waters in Japan. In 1990, at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Bill Weasley taught some sixth-year students how to handle and defend themselves against kappas in a late-night tutoring session. In 1993, Remus Lupin introduced his third-year students to kappas, the third creature they studied in the course, after the Boggart and Red Caps. Students learned about their biology, weaknesses, and how to defend themselves against the creatures. Professor Severus Snape, when substituting for a Defense Against the Dark Arts class for Professor Remus Lupin, incorrectly stated that kappas are found in Mongolia. In the year after, Barty Crouch Jr. (disguised as Alastor Moody) briefly mentioned kappas to his fourth-year students on a list of creatures Remus Lupin had given him about topics the students had already studied. According to the New York Ghost, kappas washed up on the Western Seaboard of the United States in 1926. The creatures used to be part of the magical menageries and attractions in the Circus Arcanus. One kappa was present and on display during the circus’ tour in Paris, France. Newt Scamander later detected its presence in Paris using the Tracking Spell while trying to locate Tina Goldstein, confirming its existence and international migration. The Ministry of Magic has no laws protecting kappas or banning their importation or exportation.

Credits/References

Written by Simone Winter
Base code by Andrew Sutherland, edited by Iselin Merilä and Desmond Gray.