What Is This Tool?
This tool converts measurements from the Japanese ken, a traditional modular unit used in architecture, to the US survey mile, a unit widely applied in surveying and mapping. It helps bridge historical Japanese building dimensions with modern surveying units.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the length value in ken you wish to convert.
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Select ken as the input unit and mile (US survey) as the output unit.
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Click the convert button to get the equivalent length in US survey miles.
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Review the result and use it for architectural or surveying analysis.
Key Features
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Converts ken, a traditional Japanese length unit, into the US survey mile.
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Supports measurements relevant to architecture, land surveying, and mapping.
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Simple input and output for fast and accurate length conversions.
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Ideal for interpreting historical architectural structures in modern units.
Examples
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Convert 10 ken to miles: 10 ken equals about 0.013162852 US survey miles.
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Convert 100 ken to miles: 100 ken equals approximately 0.13162852 US survey miles.
Common Use Cases
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Translating traditional Japanese building bay widths and room sizes into modern length units.
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Supporting preservation and study of historical architecture using standardized measurements.
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Interpreting and converting land survey data and maps based on legacy US survey miles.
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Integrating Japanese modular units into geodetic and cadastral mapping systems.
Tips & Best Practices
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Verify the context of measurements when dealing with historical sources due to possible variations in ken length.
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Use the conversion primarily for architectural and surveying purposes where large-scale interpretations are appropriate.
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Cross-check results with domain experts for precise applications in heritage preservation or legal land descriptions.
Limitations
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Ken is an approximate unit based on about 1.818 meters and can vary slightly historically.
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US survey mile differs subtly from the international mile, which may impact precision depending on usage.
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Conversion from architectural modular units to large survey miles may lose some detail due to scale differences.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a ken and how is it used?
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A ken is a traditional Japanese length unit roughly equal to 1.818 meters, mainly used in architecture to specify bay widths and room sizes.
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Why use the US survey mile instead of the international mile?
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The US survey mile maintains compatibility with historical cadastral and geodetic data in the US, making it essential for certain land surveys and mapping.
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Can I rely on this conversion for precise architectural measurements?
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While useful for general conversion, variations in ken definitions and scale differences mean detailed architectural precision may require additional scrutiny.
Key Terminology
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Ken
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A traditional Japanese unit of length equal to six shaku, used mainly in architecture to denote modular spacing between pillars.
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US Survey Mile
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A unit of length defined as exactly 5,280 US survey feet used in surveying and mapping in the United States.
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Modular Measure
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A standardized unit used in architecture and carpentry for consistent spacing and proportion layout.