of-shining-needles

Her surname Sukuna (少名) literally means "name/fame with a little volume". The meaning of the kanji "少" or word "sukunai" is "a little," or "with a little volume", but it originally meant "young" in ancient times. So "Sukuna" can be interpreted as "young" or "tiny likely in young age". This name is borrowed from "Sukunabikona" (少名毘古那, 少彦名) or its another horrific name "Sukuna mi-kami" (少名御神), the small god who created and ordered the land of Izumo with Ookuninushi in Japanese mythology. Her given name Shinmyoumaru (針妙丸) can be roughly translated as "Needle Strange Ball." "Shin," or "needle," is what her character model, Issun-boushi, used for oni's termination. "Myou" means "strange/unnatural", but in the ancient era "elegant/moderate/vague." The kanji of "Shimyou" is ZUN's original spelling, but it can also be written"神妙" meaning "mysterious/very serious." The "-maru" in her name is a suffix for boys in the medieval era. So we could interpret her given name as "mysterious boy with a needle".



She was a co-conspirator to Seija, and plotted to overturn the hierarchy of society with her. By falsifying the history of the inchlings and placing the blame for the race's destruction on powerful youkai, Seija was able to convince her to rally to her side, and to use the Mallet for what is ultimately Seija's own ambition.
She believes and asks if the heroine is here to help her "turn the world upside down", but when turned down and finding out that the heroine is on the stronger class, Shinmyoumaru ultimately starts the fight.