Archaic term for the time period corresponding to the Ox in the traditional Japanese temporal system, roughly 1–3 AM. Now encountered mainly in historical or supernatural contexts, such as the famous 丑の刻参り curse ritual.
The ushi-no-koku-mairi is known as a cursing ritual performed at a shrine during the hour of the Ox.
From 丑 (ushi, 'Ox', the second sign of the Chinese zodiac) + の (possessive particle) + 刻 (koku, 'hour', a traditional unit of time). The term reflects the old Japanese timekeeping system where each day was divided into twelve two-hour periods named after the zodiac signs.