反
た
ん
Meanings
1
Traditional unit for measuring cloth, especially kimono fabric. One tan is a bolt about 28.8 cm wide; the length varies by garment type (at least 10 m for kimono, 7.27 m for haori, 6.06 m for other clothes).
To make a kimono, you need one tan of cloth.
2
Traditional land-area unit equal to about 991.74 m² (approx. 0.245 acres). Still used in some rural and real-estate contexts.
This rice paddy is one tan in area.
3
Length unit equal to 6 ken (about 10.91 m). Rarely used independently; mostly encountered in historical or specialized contexts.
One tan equals six ken, or about 10.9 meters.
Usage patterns
- 〈数〉反の反物... tan (bolts) of cloth
I bought three tan of cloth to have a kimono made.
- 〈数〉反の田んぼ... tan of rice paddy (land area)
My parents' house has five tan of rice paddy.