Japanese · No. 109

The Polite Bow

Real myth

The Polite Bow
You bow, it bows. The strength spills from its head.
Rarity
Uncommon
Category
Trap
Effect
The attacker's ATK becomes 0.

The myth

The polite bow is one of the most famous tricks in Japanese folklore for beating a kappa. The kappa keeps its strength in the water of the dish on top of its head. But it is extremely courteous and cannot help returning a greeting. If you bow deeply before it, the kappa bows too, the water spills, and it grows weak or paralyzed until someone refills the dish. In some stories the human who helps it recover the water receives the kappa's friendship or secret remedies in return.

Why it has this power

An Uncommon trap that sets the attacking monster's ATK to 0. Courtesy becomes a weapon: the attacker bows, its strength spills from its head and it arrives unable to harm. It works against foes of any size, from kappa to the king of oni, and teaches that good manners win duels too.

Did you know

The bow, ojigi, has degrees in Japan: a slight nod to greet, a deeper bow to thank someone or apologize.

Connections

  • In Kenji, Kamo River Fisherman's deck
  • In Hanae, Wandering Miko's deck
  • In Renji, Ronin of the Snowy Roads's deck
  • In Master Suzu of Mount Kurama's deck
  • In Kaguya, Guardian of the Torii's deck

Where to get it

  • Comes in every duelist's starter deck.
  • Campaign drop: Hanae, Wandering Miko (Archipelago of the Kami) — grade C: 9.5%
  • Daily Offering: 0.45% per pack (Uncommon 33% per card)
  • Welcome Pack: 1.1% per pack (Uncommon 30% per card)
  • Traveler's Pack: 0.96% per pack · 5.6% in the themed pack (Uncommon 29% per card)
  • Bronze Reliquary: 0.94% per pack · 5.5% in the themed pack (Uncommon 29% per card)
  • Silver Reliquary: 0.96% per pack · 5.6% in the themed pack (Uncommon 33% per card)
  • Golden Reliquary: 0.94% per pack · 5.5% in the themed pack (Uncommon 35% per card)
  • Daily Showcase: Shows up on about 0.98% of days · 400 gold
  • Craft with card dust: 100 dust
  • Crossing of Myths: Can be offered as a reward during a crossing (the card stays in the crossing deck).

Sources

  1. Kappa — World History Encyclopedia — Matthew Allison
  2. Ghosts in Ancient Japan — World History Encyclopedia — Mark Cartwright