Re: Shaku

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> From: "Anthony J. Bryant" <ajbryant@...>
>Subject: Re: question
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>Ummm... Josh?
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>A shaku is almost *exactly* a foot. In fact, it's 11.93 inches.
>

I would be extremely hesistant to quote any measurements made before the
1850's to this level of accuracy. In period I suspect they varied by
10-20% easily unless they had a national standards department with
enforcement. I seem to remember that surveying was was introduced in the
Meiji period and there was controversy about uniform measurements. This
may of been over Western measurements however.

>1 shaku = 11.93054 inches (30.30 cm)
>

Good for modern stuff, but who uses shaku now?

Jim Eckman

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>Good for modern stuff, but who uses shaku now?
>
>Jim Eckman

In the study of Japanese Art swords all descriptions are
given in Sun Shaku and in CM.s a good grasp of the equivalents goes a
long way to help visualize blades being discussed.
In Iaido and I suspect other martial arts it is not uncommon
for sun shaku measures to be used in teaching forms and stances.
Swords for Iai are measured and sold in sun shaku, as are sageo, obi
and tabi...
-t

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