[Cartoon Mascot of Tajimi City]. The name comes from Una or unagi (“eel”) and gappa or kappa, the name of a mythological creature. It was a long, long time ago, a time of endless sunny days, and the rice fields were close to drying out. Tajimi villagers began playing Taiko drums and prayed for rain day after day, asking for help from the blessed Kappa-sama, whom they knew to be a messenger of the God of Water. Much to their surprise and gratitude, it began to rain hard. The crops were saved, resulting in a good harvest that autumn.

Presented by Iwao Tamaoki in 2012. View pdf here.