河か伯はく

noun

kappa; water imp

Mythical water-dwelling creature from Japanese folklore, often depicted as a mischievous humanoid with a dish on its head. This is the primary meaning in modern usage.

See also: 河童

• 河童かっぱは河か伯はくとも呼よばれることがある。

  Kappa are sometimes also called 河伯.

• 昔むかし話ばなしにはよく河か伯はくが登とう場じょうする。

  Kappa often appear in old tales.

noun

river god; river deity

Only when written 河伯

Rare, classical meaning referring to a deity or spirit of a river. Restricted to the kanji form 河伯. Not commonly used in modern Japanese outside of historical or mythological contexts.

• 中ちゅう国ごくの神しん話わでは、河か伯はくは黄こう河がの神かみとされている。

  In Chinese mythology, 河伯 is considered the god of the Yellow River.