Hyōsube 兵主部

Hyōsube (ひょうすべ) is a fierce and foul-smelling relative of the Kappa, known for its thick hair, its love of eggplants, and its deadly, infectious laughter.

Meaning and Origin

The name Hyōsube is derived from Hyōbu-taifu, a historical office, or from the onomatopoeic “hyo-hyo” sound of its movement.

Native to the Kyushu region (Saga and Miyazaki), Hyōsube legends might be even older than those of the common Kappa. One origin story claims they were originally enchanted dolls made to help build a shrine. When the job was done, they were cast into a river and became these hairy, aquatic monsters.

Characteristics

Unlike the slick-skinned Kappa, a Hyōsube is covered in thick, greasy hair that is constantly shedding. They are child-sized with bald heads, sharp teeth, and a permanent, disgusting smell of river mud and rotting fish.

They are incredibly mischievous. Their favorite activity is sneaking into human homes at night to soak in the bathtub, leaving behind a layer of foul-smelling oil and hair that is nearly impossible to clean.

Legends

The most terrifying legend about the Hyōsube is its deadly laugh. If a human hears a Hyōsube laughing (“hee-hee-hee!”) and laughs back, they will be struck by a sudden, violent fever and die within hours. This fever is said to be contagious, potentially wiping out an entire household.

Another common belief is that Hyōsube are obsessed with eggplants. Farmers in Kyushu would often throw the first harvest of eggplants into the river as an offering to keep the creatures from ravaging their fields. One tale tells of a greedy woman who tried to pick up one of these “ghost eggplants”—she immediately broke out in purple spots and died, proving that the Hyōsube’s offerings must never be touched by human hands.