下げ刻こく

noun

final third of a two-hour period

Historical timekeeping term from the Edo period. A two-hour period (刻) was divided into three parts: 上刻 (first third), 中刻 (middle third), and 下刻 (last third). Used in pre-modern contexts.

• 江え戸ど時じ代だいの時じ刻こくでは、午うまの下げ刻こくは今いまの午ご後ご1時じから2時じごろにあたる。

  In the time system of the Edo period, the lower third of the hour of the horse corresponds roughly to 1–2 PM today.