Convert Arpent (arpent) to Ken (ken) instantly.
About these units
Arpent (arpent)
The arpent is a French unit of length and area, historically used in France and French colonial territories like Louisiana and Canada. As a length, it was roughly 58.47 meters, while as an area unit it varied regionally but was commonly used for agricultural plots. The arpent was central to land measurement, urban planning, and agriculture, particularly in colonies where standard French units were imposed. It helped define plots for farming, taxation, and property distribution, often in combination with other traditional French units such as the perche. Although largely replaced by metric units, the arpent remains significant for historians, geographers, and legal scholars interpreting colonial-era land documents and property records.
Ken (ken)
The ken is a traditional Japanese unit of length, typically about 1.8 meters, though historically it ranged from 1.6 to 1.9 meters depending on the era and region. The ken is deeply tied to traditional Japanese architecture, especially temple and shrine construction. In classic building design, the ken measured the spacing between pillars in wooden structures. Because Japanese architecture emphasizes modularity and harmonious proportions, the ken allowed builders to create spaces that were both structurally efficient and aesthetically consistent. Many tatami room layouts are also derived from ken-based proportions. Beyond architecture, the ken carried symbolic importance in religious and cultural contexts. Temples were often laid out using ken multiples, reinforcing a sense of order, symmetry, and sacred geometry. Even though modern Japan uses the metric system, the ken persists in the restoration and preservation of historical buildings.