1.
shaku; traditional Japanese unit of length equal to approximately 30.3 cm
A traditional unit of length in the Japanese measuring system. One shaku is approximately 30.3 centimeters (about one foot). Still used in traditional architecture, kimono making, and music (shakuhachi).
この柱は八尺ある。
This pillar is eight shaku tall.
尺八の名前は一尺八寸の長さに由来する。
The name shakuhachi comes from its length of one shaku and eight sun.
和室の設計では、いまでも尺と寸を使うことがある。
In the design of Japanese-style rooms, shaku and sun are still sometimes used.
A traditional unit of length in the Japanese measuring system (尺貫法). One 尺 is approximately 30.3 cm, roughly equivalent to one foot. Although Japan officially adopted the metric system, the 尺 is still used in several traditional fields.
MEASUREMENT SYSTEM:
- 一寸 = approximately 3.03 cm
- 一尺 = 10 寸 = approximately 30.3 cm
- 一間 = 6 尺 = approximately 1.82 m
STILL USED IN:
- 建築: traditional architecture and tatami sizing
- 着物: kimono fabric measurements
- 尺八: the bamboo flute (named for its standard length)
- 大工: carpentry
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 尺貫法: the traditional Japanese measurement system
- 一尺: one shaku (about 30 cm)
- 曲尺: carpenter's square (using the shaku scale)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 寸: sun — one-tenth of a shaku, approximately 3 cm
- 間: ken — six shaku, approximately 1.82 m
- メートル: meter — the modern standard unit