Kujirajaku
Kujirajaku is a traditional Japanese unit of length, and a ruler marked with that scale, used to measure kimono tailoring and roll dimensions.
Contents5 sections
Definition and Overview
Kujirajaku is a shakkan-hō unit of length used in Japanese dressmaking when handling kimono dimensions and the length and width of kimono fabric bolts. One kujirajaku shaku is approx. 37.9 cm, so its base length differs from the metric system.
The name is said to come from the fact that whale baleen was once used as the material for rulers. Some modern dressmaking rulers are printed with both centimeter and kujirajaku scales.
Main Uses
Kujirajaku is used when making Japanese garments such as kimono, yukata, and long underkimono. You may see kujirajaku-based notation in dressmaking measurements, cutting plans from fabric bolts, and checks of sleeve width and garment length.
In fabric bolt standards and dressmaking references, it may be used together with terms such as kimono fabric length. By contrast, in general clothing patterns, fabric width, and sewing specifications, notation in centimeters or millimeters is standard.
How to Choose and Handling Notes
When choosing a ruler for dressmaking, check whether it has a kujirajaku scale or a dual scale with centimeters. Standardizing units to match existing dressmaking books, tailoring instructions, and fabric bolt labels helps prevent measurement errors caused by conversion differences.
Kujirajaku is not a term for fabric material, weave structure, texture, or washing method. For fabric shrinkage or dimensional changes after washing, check the shrinkage rate for each material and processing method, and manage it separately as needed, such as by pre-washing.
During sewing, it is important not to mix kujirajaku and centimeter values. In particular, specify the units in patterns, cutting instructions, and finished size charts, and share the same standard among all parties involved.
Differences from Similar Terms
In contrast to kujirajaku, the shaku used with kanjaku is generally called kanjaku or kanejaku, and one shaku is a different length from a kujirajaku shaku. Even though both use the name "shaku," their conversion values differ, so you should not judge by the number alone.
A tape measure refers broadly to tools used to measure length, and most are marked in centimeters. Kujirajaku is not the measuring tool itself; it refers mainly to the unit of length used in Japanese dressmaking, and to rulers that use that unit on their scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many centimeters is one kujirajaku shaku?
One kujirajaku shaku is approx. 37.9 cm. It differs in length from measurements used in Western tailoring, which are based on centimeters, and from the shaku used with kanjaku. When reading tailoring instructions, be sure to confirm which unit of shaku is being used.
Is kujirajaku also used when buying fabric for Western clothing?
In general apparel fabric transactions, length and fabric width are handled in meters, centimeters, and millimeters. Kujirajaku is used mainly for measurements related to Japanese clothing and dressmaking, so it is usually not used for managing yardage in Western clothing.
