要かなめ

noun

pivot; central point

Refers to the central pin or axis of a folding fan, and by extension any crucial central element.

• 扇せん子すの要かなめが外はずれてしまった。

  The pivot of the folding fan came off.

noun

vital point; cornerstone; keystone

Metaphorical extension of the fan pivot: the most important part or person that holds everything together.

• 彼かれはチームの要かなめとして活かつ躍やくしている。

  He is active as the cornerstone of the team.

• この政せい策さくが改かい革かくの要かなめとなる。

  This policy will be the keystone of the reform.

noun

Japanese photinia

A plant name (Photinia glabra). Usually written in kana as かなめ, and often referred to as かなめのき or 要黐.

See also: 要黐

• 生いけ垣がきにはかなめがよく使つかわれる。

  Japanese photinia is often used for hedges.