Kawa-zaru
Kawa-zaru, meaning "river monkey," is a lesser-known water yokai from Japanese folklore, considered a weak and cowardly relative of the more famous Kappa. This timid creature inhabits rivers and streams throughout Japan, where it spends most of its time hiding from humans and avoiding confrontation. Unlike its powerful cousin the Kappa, which actively drowns victims and challenges sumo wrestlers, the Kawa-zaru is characterized by its extreme timidity and aversion to contact with people. The creature is named for its simian appearance and its river-dwelling habits, though it possesses the same