Sukuna is based on the same-named figure from Japanese mythology: Ryomen-Sukuna (両りょう面めん宿すく儺な?). He is a demonic/specter-like figure described in the Nihon Shoki (日に本ほん書しょ紀き Nihon Shoki?), said to have appeared in the Hida Province (today's Gifu Prefecture (岐ぎ阜ふ県けん Gifu Ken?) in ancient times, during the reign of "Emperor Nintoku" (仁にん德とく天てん皇のう Nintoku Tennō?) in the 4th century.