狭間

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 狭間 (はざま) combines narrowness 狭 and interval 間 to denote a gap or an in-between boundary.
• Basic usage: It applies to a physical opening between buildings and figuratively to a position between ideals and reality.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Physical and abstract in-between spaces
  • The surrounding nouns show whether 狭間 is a visible gap or a figurative boundary between competing states.