Perch
A perch is an old unit of length that is synonymous with the rod or pole, commonly used in land measurement and surveying. It measures 16.5 feet, 5.5 yards, or approximately 5.0292 meters.
The perch was widely used in England and later in the United States for measuring plots of land, especially before the widespread adoption of the metric system. It was also used to describe area when squared (square perch).
Key points:
1 perch = 16.5 feet
1 perch = 5.5 yards
1 perch ≈ 5.0292 meters
4 perches = 1 chain
40 perches = 1 furlong
While largely obsolete today, the term perch still appears in historical land deeds, legal documents, and some traditional surveying contexts.
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