Kappa Water Imp Mask - Authentic Ichiroemon Japan Kamen

Description

Japanese papier-mache female kappa mask (kamen). Remember the fear you felt after watching "Jaws"? In old Japan, that same fear was inspired not by sharks but by the kappa, a small yet powerful water imp that lived in rivers, lakes, and streams. About the size of a child, the kappa was strong enough to drag animals—and sometimes people—into the water. Despite their mischievous and malevolent nature, kappa respected those they deemed virtuous and could become loyal to them. Kappa belong to the Suijin group of Shinto water deities, and their appearance is a bizarre mix of tortoise, ape, and fish, with webbed feet, blue-green scales, and a unique donut-shaped hair style with a fluid-filled depression on their heads that gives them strength. Bowing deeply when encountering a kappa on land can trick them into spilling this fluid, weakening them and giving you a chance to escape. Today, the kappa's image has softened, much like the European Ogre, transforming from a terrifying creature to a cute mascot used in various products and cartoons.

About the Listed Item

This wonderful hand-made display mask, evoking the traditional image of Kappa, was crafted by a humble yet locally renowned Japanese family of artisans. Today, they supplement their income by selling fruits and vegetables from their old storefront along Japan's historic Tokaido road, famous for the "53 stages of the Tokaido" woodblock print series. The family has a long lineage of hereditary papier-mâché artists, tracing their roots back seven generations to Horio Ichiroemon, who once designed and sold Daruma tumblers, traditional masks, hariko no tora (bobble-head tigers), and other items to feudal-era travelers passing by his shop in Shimizu. This mask offers a rare opportunity to own an authentic, hand-crafted piece made by one of Japan's few remaining hereditary papier-mâché families. Read on to learn more about the Ichironsan family, their business, and their unique location along one of Japan's oldest and most famous highways.

Approximate Size:
Height: 7.2 inches (18.5 centimeters)
Weight: 2.6 ounces (74 grams)

Important Note: Each of these hand-crafted masks is unique and therefore the authentic Ichiroemon Usobuki mask you receive will differ slightly in size and appearance from the mask photographed for this listing.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Please contact us anytime if you have questions or concerns about purchases made on this site.

• By Email: dinnerbytheriver@gmail.com
• By Phone: +1 949-466-0864
• Ship From Address:
  Art Hills Yada 501
  4-1 Yada, Suruga Ward
  Shizuoka City, Shizuoka
  Japan 422-8002

RETURN POLICY

• Eligibility: To be eligible for a return, the item must be unused, in its original condition, and returned within 60 days from the date of purchase.
• Return Process: To initiate a return, please contact us via the email or phone number above and within the specified return period. You will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.
• Return Shipping: Customers are responsible for the shipping costs associated with returning the item, unless the return is due to a product defect or error on our part.