間けん

noun

ken (approx. 1.818 m)

Traditional Japanese unit of length, equal to 6 shaku. Still used in architecture and carpentry contexts.

• この柱はしらの間かん隔かくは一いっ間けんです。

  The spacing between these pillars is one ken.

counter

counter for gaps between pillars

Used in traditional architecture to count the number of intercolumnar spaces.

• この建たて物ものは正しょう面めんが五ご間けんあります。

  This building has five ken across the front.