The Sound of the “Bell of Time” in Hongokuchō Provided by Kodenmacho Ichi-no-Bu Neighborhood Association
During the Edo period, townspeople knew the time by the sound of the “Bell of Time.” The sound of the bell at set times allowed people to keep track of the moments in their daily lives.」
The variable-hour system was used for timekeeping during the Edo period. This meant the length of one toki (unit of time) varied depending on whether it was day or night, and also by season.
定時法
季節を通じて時計を均等に動かす仕組みで、1日を24分して、それぞれ1時間とする。
A system dividing a day evenly into 24 hours throughout the year.
不定時法
昼夜それぞれを6等分して時刻を測る。季節によって一刻の長さが変化する。
A system dividing daytime and nighttime each into six parts; the length of each unit changed with the seasons.