kokura
Very lowFormal, Historical, Geographical
Definition
Meaning
A district in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, historically a castle town and a major industrial center.
Often referenced as a historical location, notably as the secondary target for the atomic bombing in 1945 where poor weather over Kokura led to the bombing of Nagasaki instead (the 'Kokura luck' phenomenon).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a proper noun (toponym). Its use in English is almost exclusively in historical, geographical, or military contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage. The name is used identically in both varieties in historical/geographical contexts.
Connotations
Conveys historical and geopolitical significance, particularly related to World War II events.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday language for both regions, appearing mainly in specialized texts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Proper Noun] as subject of 'is/was located in...'[Proper Noun] as object of a preposition (e.g., 'in Kokura', 'from Kokura')Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Kokura luck (historical reference to the city's avoidance of the atomic bomb due to weather)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in contexts of Japanese industrial history or logistics related to northern Kyushu.
Academic
Used in historical, military, and East Asian studies discussing WWII or Japanese urban development.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation outside of Japan or specific historical discussion.
Technical
Appears in historical accounts, military histories, and detailed geographical references.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Kokura is in Japan.
- We saw a picture of Kokura Castle.
- Kokura is now part of the larger city of Kitakyushu.
- The weather over Kokura was cloudy on that fateful day.
- Historians note that Kokura was the primary target for the second atomic bomb, but visibility was poor.
- Kokura's industrial significance grew during the Meiji period.
- The term 'Kokura luck' has entered some historical lexicons to denote a fortunate avoidance of catastrophe.
- Urban development in post-war Kokura was shaped by its prior status as a castle town and its wartime experience.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Koala at the CURA' - A koala (Ko) is at the ancient castle (kura) in Japan.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FORTUNATE ESCAPE (due to the historical event of avoided destruction).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with the Russian word 'кокур' (a type of grape/wine). 'Kokura' is exclusively a Japanese place name.
- The stress falls on the second syllable: ko-KU-ra, not on the first.
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing it as /ˈkɒkjʊrə/ (stress on first syllable).
- Misspelling as 'Kokoura' or 'Kokora'.
- Using it as a common noun.
Practice
Quiz
In which modern Japanese city is the district of Kokura located?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency proper noun used almost exclusively in historical or geographical contexts related to Japan.
Kokura was the primary target for the 'Fat Man' atomic bomb on August 9, 1945. Cloud cover and smoke led the crew to switch to the secondary target, Nagasaki, an event sometimes called 'Kokura luck'.
In English, it is typically pronounced /koʊˈkʊrə/ in American English and /kəʊˈkʊərə/ in British English, with the main stress on the second syllable.
No, it is exclusively a proper noun (the name of a place). It is not used adjectivally in standard English.