noun
orchestra seats; pit; parquet
Refers to the flat-floor seating area directly in front of the stage in traditional Japanese theaters such as kabuki. The term is specific to theater architecture and may not be widely known outside that context.
歌舞伎の平土間は舞台に近く、迫力がある。
The orchestra seats in kabuki are close to the stage and very powerful.
平土間の席は早く売り切れることが多い。
Tickets for the pit often sell out quickly.
オーケストラピット is the sunken area for musicians in Western-style theaters, whereas 平土間 is the flat audience seating area in traditional Japanese theaters.
Compound of 平 (flat) and 土間 (earthen floor or open floor space), referring to the flat, unraised seating area in traditional theaters.