The idea of 'Chiisanako' (Little child) is considered to have originated in the Japanese mythology of Sukunahikona (little male deity of the earth, suku means little, na means the earth, hiko means male deity, and na is a postfix).
「小さな子」のモチーフは、日本においては日本神話のスクナヒコナ（少・大地男神、スク少・ナ大地・ヒコ男神・ナ接尾辞）がその源流と考えられる。