一升(いっしょう)

A traditional unit of volume in the Japanese measurement system. One 升(しょう) equals approximately 1.8 liters (about 0.48 US gallons). Though the metric system is standard in Japan, 升(しょう) is still used in everyday life for sake and rice.

Common collocations

• 一升瓶(いっしょうびん): 1.8-liter bottle (standard large sake bottle)
• 一升(いっしょう)餅(もち): one-shou rice cake (used in first birthday celebrations)
• 一升(いっしょう)炊(だ)き: cooking one shou of rice
• 米(こめ)一升(いっしょう): one shou of rice

Measurement context

• 1升(しょう) = 10合(ごう) = approximately 1.8 liters
• 10升(しょう) = 1斗(と)
• A standard sake cup measure (一合(いちごう)) is one-tenth of a 升(しょう)

Cultural note

The 一升(いっしょう)餅(もち) tradition involves making a child carry a heavy rice cake (about 1.8 kg) on their first birthday. The custom symbolizes hopes that the child will never go hungry. The word 一升(いっしょう) is a pun on 一生(いっしょう) (a lifetime).