三さん更こう

noun

third watch of the night (approx. 11pm to 1am)

Historical timekeeping term from the old Chinese-influenced system dividing the night into five watches. Rare in modern Japanese outside historical or literary contexts.

• 昔むかしの時じ刻こくでは、三さん更こうは夜よるの11時じから1時じごろにあたる。

  In the old time system, the third watch corresponds to around 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.