also: くでん
land granted for distinguished service (ritsuryō system)
Historical term from the ritsuryō legal codes; refers to land awarded by the state to individuals for meritorious service.
Under the ritsuryō system, 功田 was granted according to one's service to the state.
Compound of 功 (kō, 'merit') and 田 (den, 'rice field'). The reading くでん is an older or alternate reading of the same characters.