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).

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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

When Tsunayoshi became shogun, Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu occupied the position of a low-class squire in the shogun's household and was in receipt of a salary of three hundred koku yearly.

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

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 F. (Frank) Brinkley

There were also many petty lords, whose produce of rice from their lands did not amount to ten thousand koku.

From A Fantasy of Far Japan Summer Dream Dialogues by Baron Kencho Suyematsu

The whole of Nagamasa's estates, yielding an annual return of 180,000 koku, was given to Hideyoshi, and he was ordered to assume the command of Otani Castle, whence, however, he moved shortly afterwards to Nagahama.

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