初しょ更こう

noun

first watch of the night (approx. 7pm to 9pm)

Archaic term from the traditional Chinese timekeeping system; not used in modern Japanese outside historical or literary contexts.

• 江え戸ど時じ代だいの時じ刻こく制せい度どでは、初しょ更こうは夜よるの始はじまりを告つげた。

  In the Edo-period time system, the first watch signaled the beginning of the night.