Description

A kappa is a species of water demon which dwells in the rivers and lakes of Japan. These creatures, although the size of a child, posess supernatural strength and are able to overpower the strongest victim, whom they will then drag under water to consume from the inside out.
According to legend, there are two ways to escape from the clutches of a kappa.
On top of their heads, kappas have a bowl-like depression full of water, which is also the source of their magical strength. A wise person walking by a river will always keep a wary eye on the surface. As soon as there's any sign of a kappa rising, this person must bow deeply. The kappa, being a polite and honorable creature for a demon, will return the bow, spilling the water on its head and losing its power. This will give the person enough time to escape.
The second method involves carving the person's name and age on a cucumber and throwing it in the water. The kappa, which has a weakness for cucumbers, will remember the donor's name and spare him/her in the future.

For more information on kappas:
http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/kappa.shtml

Done entirely in Photoshop_6 with wacom tablet