Archaic or literary term for a very young child; in modern Japanese, 赤ちゃん or 幼児 are more common.
In old tales, stories of infants with mysterious powers often appear.
pageboy; page
Historical term for a boy attendant in a noble or samurai household, or a child participating in religious ceremonies.
child in a festival procession
Refers to children dressed in traditional costumes who participate in matsuri processions, often carrying mikoshi or performing dances.
In medieval temples, pageboys played an important role.
At the Gion Festival, children in traditional attire join the procession on horseback.
Ilyoplax pusilla (crab species)
northern hobby (Falco subbuteo)
Japanese fairy bells; Disporum smilacinum
Standard kanji spelling for all senses.
Kana spelling is sometimes used in modern texts, especially for the festival-child sense.
Compound of 稚 (young, immature) and 児 (child). The reading ちご is a kun'yomi-based compound reading. The term has been used since the Heian period, originally for young children and later for child attendants and festival participants.