flat ground; level area
General term for a flat, open piece of land or floor space, often contrasted with slopes or raised areas.
After descending the mountain, we came out onto a wide flat area.
orchestra seats; floor seats in front of the stage
In traditional theaters like kabuki, refers to the ground-level seating area directly in front of the stage, originally without chairs. Also called 平土間.
See also: 平土間
The floor seats in kabuki are close to the stage and very powerful.
multi-brand display area; open sales floor
In retail, a section where products from multiple brands are displayed together, as opposed to dedicated brand corners.
In this department store's open display area, shoes from various makers are lined up.
starting field without 20-point cards
In hanafuda, a starting field that contains no 20-point cards (such as the 'bright' or 'animal' cards). Contrasts with 小場.
See also: 小場
In hanafuda, when the starting field has no 20-point cards, first check your hand.
Compound of 平 (flat) and 場 (place). The specific theater and retail senses developed from the basic meaning of a flat, open area.