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Ken


A ken is a traditional Japanese unit of length used mainly in architecture and construction. It measures the distance between two pillars in traditional Japanese buildings and is roughly equivalent to 6 Japanese feet (shaku) or about 1.82 meters (approximately 6 feet).


The ken was a standard module in Japanese design, influencing room sizes and proportions in temples, houses, and other structures. Its use helped maintain harmony and consistency in traditional building layouts.


Though largely replaced by the metric system today, the ken remains significant in studying traditional Japanese architecture and cultural heritage.


Summary:



  • 1 ken ≈ 1.82 meters (6 feet)



  • Based on spacing between structural pillars



  • Used in traditional Japanese architecture



  • Important for historical and cultural studies




Barleycorn


A barleycorn is an old English unit of length, traditionally based on the length of a grain of barley. It is defined as exactly 1/3 of an inch or approximately 8.47 millimeters.


Historically, the barleycorn was used for measuring small lengths and was also the basis for the inch, which was originally considered to be three barleycorns long. It played a role in various traditional measurements, including shoe sizing in English-speaking countries, where shoe sizes were sometimes expressed in barleycorn units.


Although obsolete as a formal unit, the barleycorn remains culturally significant, especially in shoe sizing systems.


Summary:



  • 1 barleycorn = 1/3 inch ≈ 8.47 mm



  • Based on the length of a grain of barley



  • Used historically in small measurements and shoe sizing



  • Mostly of historical and cultural interest today





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