gap in a fence or hedge; chink; opening
Archaic noun for a small opening or gap, especially in a fence or hedge. Not used in modern Japanese; the modern word 隙間 (すきま) is used instead.
古い文書に「垣間より見ゆ」とある。
In old documents, it says 'visible through a gap in the fence'.
Compound of 垣 (kaki, 'fence') and 間 (ma, 'space, gap'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the spelling is conventionally associated with a gap in a fence.