子ねの刻こく

expression, noun

hour of the Rat; midnight period

Archaic term for the time around midnight, roughly 11pm–1am or midnight–2am in the traditional Chinese-derived time system. Used in historical or literary contexts.

• 昔むかしの時じ刻こくでは、子ねの刻こくは夜よるの十じゅう二に時じ前ぜん後ごにあたる。

  In the old time system, the hour of the Rat corresponds to around midnight.