尺(しゃく)

A traditional unit of length in the Japanese measuring system (尺貫法(しゃっかんほう)). One 尺(しゃく) is approximately 30.3 cm, roughly equivalent to one foot. Although Japan officially adopted the metric system, the 尺(しゃく) is still used in several traditional fields.

Measurement system

• 一寸(いっすん) = approximately 3.03 cm
• 一尺(いっしゃく) = 10 寸(すん) = approximately 30.3 cm
• 一間(いっけん) = 6 尺(しゃく) = approximately 1.82 m

Still used in

• 建築(けんちく): traditional architecture and tatami sizing
• 着物(きもの): kimono fabric measurements
• 尺八(しゃくはち): the bamboo flute (named for its standard length)
• 大工(だいく): carpentry

Common collocations

• 尺(しゃく)貫法(かんほう): the traditional Japanese measurement system
• 一尺(いっしゃく): one shaku (about 30 cm)
• 曲尺(かねじゃく): carpenter's square (using the shaku scale)

Similar words

• 寸(すん): sun — one-tenth of a shaku, approximately 3 cm
• 間(けん): ken — six shaku, approximately 1.82 m
• メートル: meter — the modern standard unit