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.
Character Profile
This section is our own creative profile for storytelling. It is not historical fact or scholarship.
Yokai Type - Traditional Yokai
Category - Water Yokai
Rarity - Rare
Personality - Mischievous and hates to lose. Although a trickster who challenges others to sumo and begs for cucumbers, it also has a dutiful side, delivering fish every morning if it receives a favor.
Compatibility - 水辺を畏れつつ親しむ漁村・川辺の人々と縁が深い。胡瓜を供える者には穏やか、淵を侮る者には牙をむく。
Abilities - Dragging victims underwaterExtracting the shirikodamaSuperhuman sumo strengthAgile swimming along the water's edge
Weaknesses - It can be appeased by offering cucumbers. It can be captured and subdued by monks or prayers. On land, it is said that its strength wanes if it loses its moisture.
Habitat - Deep pools of the Mima River, rivers and inlets of Nanyo, and the coast of the Sadamisaki Peninsula.
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