koku

American  

[koh-koo, kaw-koo] / ˈkoʊ ku, ˈkɔ kʊ /

noun

koku plural

1. a Japanese unit of dry measure equivalent to 5.12 bushels (1.8 hectoliters).

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• koku
  plural

Etymology

Origin of koku

< Japanese < Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese hú measure

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

koku

But its more severe counterpart uses the term koku - meaning harsh or cruel - to describe the heat.

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026

Statistics compiled in 1836 show that the revenue annually collected from the Tokugawa estates in rice and money amounted to 807,068 koku and 93,961 gold ryo respectively.

From A History of the Japanese People From the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era by Brinkley, F. (Frank)

On the other hand, Masayasu, his assassin, was related to him by marriage, and possessed an estate of 25,000 koku, as well as holding the position of junior minister of State.

From A History of the Japanese People From the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era by Brinkley, F. (Frank)

Ishikawa Jinshiro, who commanded at Nijo Castle, immediately distributed a thousand koku of rice from the Government's store to relieve the distressed citizens.

From A History of the Japanese People From the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era by Brinkley, F. (Frank)

The new Empress was dowered with an estate much larger than that of the Emperor himself, although the latter's allowance was increased by ten thousand koku.

From A History of the Japanese People From the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era by Brinkley, F. (Frank)