玄関

Etymology 1
→.

Noun

 * 1) the entrance to a profound path; in particularly an introduction to the Zen Buddhist discipline
 * 2) the entrance to a Zen Buddhist temple
 * 3) the place of entrance / exit in a Japanese home; usually recessed into the floor

Etymology 2
From earlier genkan. genkwan > genkwa > genka. The final /a/ was likely nasalized. Common during the Edo period.

Noun

 * 1) same as
 * 2) * 1686: Shika no Makifude (鹿の巻筆) (page 182)
 * "ja"

- 浪人、「さてはいまのももんぐわあゆへ」と思ひながら、是非なく座敷をたちけり. 玄関(げんくわ)口へ出ければ、又かのいたづらがき、玄関（げんか）のわきに居けり.