石
Meanings
1
koku; unit of volume (approx. 180.4 L)
Historical Japanese unit of volume, primarily used for rice. One koku was considered the amount needed to feed one person for one year. Still encountered in historical and cultural contexts.
In the Edo period, a daimyo's income was expressed in koku.
One koku is about 180 liters.
2
ship capacity unit (approx. 278.26 L)
Specialized measure for Japanese-style boats' loading capacity. Rare outside maritime history contexts.
One koku was a unit of rice volume.
Usage patterns
- 〈数〉石の米X koku of rice (a quantity of rice measured in koku)
The farmers paid five koku of rice a year as tax.
- 〈数〉石の大名a feudal lord whose domain yields X koku
The Kaga domain was known for its lord with a million-koku fief.