Mugiusubuchi Poolむぎうすぶち

The *Enkou* is a representative variant from the Nanyo region, illustrating how the entity known as the *kappa* was spoken of with different forms and names depending on the region. Neither the dish nor the shell is prominent; instead, emphasis is placed on its hairy, monkey-like body, agile swimming, and its habitat in the deep pools of rivers. This image is formed by overlapping with the ecology of an actual beast, the Japanese river otter (*oso*). The legend of Mima Mugiusubuchi features the standard elements of *kappa* tales, such as sumo, cucumbers, *shirikodama*, and horse-pulling, while possessing a localized ending where it is tied to a stone mortar by a monk from Mantoku-ji Temple and reforms. 'Osogoe' on the Sadamisaki Peninsula and the Enkou Festival in Yawatahama convey that this water monster still breathes within place names and annual events today.