On the gate of Matsubara Shrine stands a wooden statue of a kappa.
12:00 JST, July 13, 2024
SAGA — A wooden carving of a kappa, a mythical creature believed to prevent water accidents, has been returned to its original spot at the gate of Matsubara Shrine in Saga City after about 50 years.
The wooden statue is about 68 centimeters high and is said to have been carved in the Edo period (1603-1867). Legend has it that long ago, a local official cast a spell on many dolls to make them work on a construction project. When the project was completed, the workers were returned to their original doll form and dumped in a river. The dolls then turned into kappa and dragged children into the river to kill them.
The lord of the Saga domain captured the kappa leader.
“Please turn me back into a wooden doll, and I will protect the children to pay,” said the kappa leader. The kappa was then turned into a wooden statue.
The statue has stood at the top of the gate of Matsubara Shrine since its creation about 250 years ago. People believed that if they passed under the gate, they would be safe from water accidents for a month.
However, about 50 years ago, the statue was moved indoors after several cultural artifacts were stolen.
The sanctuary recently decided to return the statue to its original location, hoping to prevent flood damage and keep children safe.
