measuring container; measuring box; measure
A traditional square wooden box used for measuring volume, especially rice or sake. Also refers to the unit of measure itself (approx. 1.8 liters).
I measured out the rice with a masu and cooked it.
I bought a one-shō measuring box at the liquor store.
Measure rice with a masu.
box seat; theatre box
Refers to a boxed seating area in a theatre or similar venue, derived from the square shape of the measuring container.
The box seats at the Kabuki-za are popular.
square on a grid; cell of a grid
Used for squares in a grid, cells in a table, or boxes in a crossword puzzle. The katakana spelling マス is especially common for this sense.
Fill in the squares of the crossword puzzle.
Please put a number in each cell of the table.
square bearing block (at the top of a pillar)
Only when written 斗
Architectural term for a square wooden block placed on top of a pillar to support a beam. Restricted to the kanji 斗.
Square bearing blocks are used on top of the pillars in this old shrine.
I watched the sumo match from a box seat.
I filled in the crossword squares one by one.
桟敷 refers to a raised box seating area in traditional theatres, while 升 (as 升席) is the specific square-shaped box seat used in sumo or kabuki venues.
枡目 emphasizes the pattern of squares on a grid, while 升 (written マス) refers to an individual cell or square itself.
A measuring box/container is typically counted as a general small object in everyday use.
one square on a grid; one cell
break and run out (in billiards)
box seat; tatami box seat
square shape; square · square bearing block (atop a pillar) · castle square; bailey between gates
square framing; lattice framework
Standard kanji for the measuring container and related senses. High priority in news and frequency lists.
Katakana spelling is especially common for the grid/cell sense.
Rare variant kanji form.
Variant kanji form, less common but still encountered.
Used specifically for the architectural sense of a square bearing block.
The word ます originally referred to a square wooden measuring box. The shape gave rise to extended meanings such as theatre box seats and grid cells. The architectural term using 斗 is a specialized use of the same character.