Hyakumangoku

Hyakumangoku is a Japanese term that literally translates to "one million koku." A koku is a unit of measure for rice, traditionally equivalent to approximately 180 liters or 5 bushels. Historically, the value of a domain or a samurai's stipend was measured in koku. Therefore, a Hyakumangoku domain was one that produced or was valued at one million koku of rice annually.

This measure was a significant indicator of a feudal lord's (daimyo) power and economic strength in pre-modern Japan. Domains producing a million koku were among the wealthiest and most influential. The Shimazu clan of the Satsuma domain, the Date clan of the Sendai domain, and the Maeda clan of the Kaga domain are examples of powerful daimyo whose territories were valued at or around the Hyakumangoku level. Holding such a domain meant the daimyo could field a substantial army, maintain a large administration, and contribute significantly to national affairs. The concept of Hyakumangoku thus served as a benchmark for the elite tier of Japanese feudal lords.