KAPPA -- River Imp or Sprite
Origin = Shinto (with Chinese & Hindu Antecedents)

Edo Period, circa 1800s. A rare figure in Japanese folklore, this Kappa could be a great addition to your exotic Japanese garden. Comes with great natural lichen formation as well.

Kappa "river-child", alternately called Gatarô, or Kawako, are legendary creatures; a type of water sprite found in Japanese folklore. However they are also considered to be a part of cryptozoology, due to claims of sightings. In Shintô they are considered to be one of many suijin (literally "water-deity"). One of the Suijin (water kami, water deities) of Shinto mythology. Suijin are found in lakes, ponds, springs, wells, and irrigation waterways. They are often depicted as a snake, a dragon, an eel, a fish, a turtle, or a kappa. One of the most curious Suijin in Japan manifests itself as the water-cleansing bacteria in sewage water. According to the Institute for Japanese Culture and Classics (Kokugakuin University), women have played an important role in the history of Suijin worship in Japan. With the introduction of Buddhism in the 6th century AD, however, Japan's many Shinto water kami begin to slowly absorb Buddhist attributes. Not surprisingly, this ongoing mixture of traditions makes it difficult to identify the origins of these "syncretic" deities. This difficulty is compounded by the lack of Shinto artwork or written records prior to the 8th century. (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/kappa.shtml)