Kawauso - かわうそ - [Yokai]

•About this Yokai•

Kawauso - (jp: 獺, かわうそ)

Kawauso are River Otters that have lived an exceptionally long life and become yokai. - They're known to pull pranks and mischeif, often dressing up in rags as young boys in an attempt to buy alcohol & sake from shops: they would clumsily give themselves away when they spoke, often only mimicking back the last word spoken to them, their adorable squeaky voices breaking their illusions... cute right???

One especially horrifying tale from Isikawa's castle tells of female kawauso that were quite vicious: They would dress up as pretty girls in an attempt to fool, drown and eat gullible men - leaving their gnawed-on bodies to float in the moat, their severed heads later turning up in fishing nets!

History: the name Kawauso is often used Synonymously with kappa, so they're often considered cousins or even the same creature. - Otters are also shaped fairly similarly to weasels (itachi, another yokai.) so their legends & folklore would sometimes overlap!

Japanese River Otters were once a common sight across Tokyo! - But tragically, as of 2012 they've been declared extinct due to being hunted for their pelts & pollution destroying their homes in the 1900's.

Sticker Art by @Samkalensky (yo thats me!) - Part of my Night parade of 100 Demons - Yokai & Japanese folklore sticker collection, weather resistant 4" Glossy sticker. Check my shop & follow @samkalensky for many more!