丑うしの刻こく

expression, noun

hour of the Ox (around 2am)

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.

• 丑うしの刻こく参まいりは、丑うしの刻こくに神じん社じゃで行おこなう呪のろいの儀ぎ式しきとして知しられている。

  The ushi-no-koku-mairi is known as a cursing ritual performed at a shrine during the hour of the Ox.