Kappa is a very amusing book. Right at the beginning, we are introduced to the book by way of an ‘author’s preface’, where the ‘author’ tells us that he is merely writing down the story as narrated by a certain Patient No. 23 in a mental asylum. Patient No. 23 will tell his story, it is said, to anyone who is willing to listen.

His story is about this one time when he was out by himself on a summer’s day. There he had a surprise encounter with an odd creature that had a tiger’s face and a sharp beak. Chasing after this creature (most probably out of curiosity), he managed to land himself into a hole, where he became unconscious.

When he finally came to his senses, he was surrounded by many Kappas, and thus began his story about his time in Kappaland.

The story is a very short one, a few pages shy of 100. But within the covers I found a tale that was both funny and sad at the same time. It has been described as a ‘brilliant satire’, and I don’t think I would disagree.

There were passages within Kappa that seemed so completely absurd, and yet evoked this feeling of gloom. I could smile and laugh while reading the book, but between the lines, I couldn’t help but wonder at the possible accusations he was making. In one hand, life can be crazy and impossible to comprehend, while on the other hand, the same life could be one of utter misery and completely worthless. ( )

Such a remarkably odd and wonderful story. The little owl/frog-like kappas are so strange and charming, so full of wit and sadness. This short novel has great insight into Akutagawa's life and his own perceptions of reality. ( )

To me, disappointingly feeble satire on Japanese society as seen through the parallel society of the kappa (a form of Japanese mythical creature) ( )