also: かんぽ
noun
mining tunnel; gallery; level; shaft; pit
Specialized mining term for an underground passage or excavation. Cross-referenced with 坑道.
See also: 坑道
この間歩は江戸時代に掘られたものだ。
This mining tunnel was dug in the Edo period.
坑内の間歩を調査する。
They survey the galleries inside the mine.
Variant kanji form, rarely used.
Variant kanji form, rarely used.
坑道 is the general term for a mine tunnel or gallery. 間歩 is a more specific, traditional term often used for older or smaller mining passages.
The derivation is uncertain. The kanji 間 (interval, space) and 歩 (walk, step) may relate to the idea of a passage or step-like excavation, but this is speculative.