恥部

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 恥部 is read as ちぶ and is a noun for a shameful secret, dark side, or disgraceful part of an organization, society, or history.
• Basic usage: An organizational secret appears in 組織の恥部, while a historical wrong appears in 歴史の恥部.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Secret and shameful part
  • It is not merely unknown information but a wrong or dark aspect judged embarrassing if exposed.
• Whole and part
  • The word points to a disgraceful element within a larger whole rather than condemning the whole by definition.