noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
samurai's attendant; footman
Historical term for a low-ranking attendant or servant to a samurai, common in the Edo period. Not used in modern contexts.
江戸時代、中間は武士の身の回りの世話をした。
In the Edo period, a chūgen took care of a samurai's personal needs.
時代劇では、中間が槍を持って殿様の後ろを歩いている。
In period dramas, a footman walks behind the lord carrying a spear.
仲間 (なかま) means 'companion' or 'colleague' and is a common modern word. 中間 (ちゅうげん) is a historical term for a samurai's attendant and is not used in modern Japanese.
The term 中間 (ちゅうげん) originally referred to a person of intermediate rank between a samurai and a common servant. The exact derivation is uncertain, but the kanji 中 (middle) and 間 (between) reflect this intermediate status.