カッパたん (Kappa tan) 2012

カッパたん (Kappa tan) is a Japanese game with water.

In Japanese folklore, there is a Yokai called Kappa. Kappa is small humanoid that lives in rivers and waterways. The top of its head is formed like a crown or a dish, and the Kappa must keep water in it to stay healthy. If the Kappa spills or dries out, it suffers and dies.

In this game, the Kappa is an inverted paper cut with the base cut into the crown. Players take turns to add water to the crown using straws. A player dips the straw into a glass of water, puts their finger on the open end, and draws the straw out. Then they put the straw to the crown and release the water. The next player does the same and so forth.

Gradually the crown fills, until only surface tension is holding the water in. Eventually, a player adds enough water to break the surface and the water spills, and that player loses.

The crown design means that it takes a surprising amount of water to break. Players start taking up less and less water, and the other players mock their lack of nerve.

The game was originally hand-made and as well as a full sized Kappa, the game also has a mini Kappa for a quicker result. The game can be played by young children and adults alike.

In 2019, a professional version was made by itten, Kappa Bros!. user summary