hour of the Horse; around noon
Archaic term for the time period around noon, roughly 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 12 noon to 2 p.m., in the traditional Japanese temporal system. Used in historical contexts.
江戸時代には、午の刻に鐘が鳴らされた。
In the Edo period, the bell was rung at the hour of the Horse.
From the Chinese zodiac system, where the Horse (午) corresponds to the seventh of the twelve double-hours, centered on noon.