Domesticating the Kappa, Or: What do Yokai Mean?

Yōkai – traditional ghosts and monsters – have been a fixture of Japanese popular culture since its beginnings in the 17th century. Now, with the global popularity of Japanese comics and animation, these fascinating creatures have come to haunt the imagination of people the world over. But what are they? And why have they endured for so long?

Offering the kappa or water imp as a case study, this talk will explore the surprising range of meanings with which Japanese culture has invested yōkai over the centuries. Through encounters with kappa in literature, in folklore, and in pop culture, we’ll uncover the dark, macabre streak that lurks within the cute and cuddly kappa of today. Along the way, we’ll see how yōkai have been transformed from ciphers of universal anxiety to signifiers of national identity.