noun
Edo-period land-tax system (40% to government, 60% to farmers)
Archaic historical term referring to the tax rate applied to agricultural land during the Edo period. Used only in historical contexts.
江戸時代には四公六民の税制が敷かれていた。
During the Edo period, the tax system of 40% to the government and 60% to the farmers was in place.
Compound of 四 (four, here meaning 40%), 公 (public, government), 六 (six, here meaning 60%), and 民 (people, farmers). The term describes the tax ratio.