three sun (approx. 9.1 cm)
Traditional Japanese unit of length; one sun is about 3.03 cm, so three sun equals roughly 9.1 cm. Used in historical or traditional contexts.
See also: 寸 (すん)
The blade of this sword is about three sun long.
something small, short, or thin (roughly three sun in size)
Figurative use referring to anything notably small, short, or thin, likened to the length of three sun. Often used in set phrases like 三寸の舌 (a glib tongue) or 三寸不爛の舌 (eloquence).
Move people with a glib tongue.
lowest-rank prostitute
Archaic term for a prostitute of the lowest rank in the Edo period. Not used in modern Japanese.
At the fair, the hawker is shouting loudly.
In the Edo period, 三寸 referred to the lowest class of prostitute.
heart; mind; feelings
smooth talk; glib tongue; flattery designed to deceive
eloquent tongue; silver tongue
glib tongue; deceptive eloquence
one's mind; one's inner feelings; how someone feels about it
smooth talk; glib tongue; flattery designed to deceive
Literally 'three sun', from 三 (three) and 寸 (sun, a traditional unit of length). The figurative and slang senses derive from the notion of smallness associated with this length.