CHARACTER HOME PAGE

pivot; important part
Kanji 1464

Thank you for visiting this Character Home Page. Below you'll find a synopsis of the essay. If you wish to read the full text, the PDF of the essay is available for purchase to the right.

Synopsis

The bolt called 枢 (くるる) slides into the cavity called 枢 (とぼそ), just as the knob called 枢 (とまら) fits into the hole called 枢 (とぼそ)! This apparent brain teaser actually supplies early meanings of 枢, which came to play a role in words for central things, ranging from the central nervous system to the center of political power. This kanji also pops up in terms for “Axis powers” and “axis of evil”!

Revision history:

May 27, 2024: p. 2: Added a missing quotation mark.

Sept. 24, 2021: Originally published.  

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Kanji PDF
Cover of essay 1464 on  枢 (pivot; important part), titled “Pivotal Parts”
Mini Profile
JOYO ON-YOMI
スウ
JOYO KUN-YOMI
None
STROKES8
RADICAL木 (75: tree)
JLPTN1
HALPERN581/770
HENSHALL1464/1568
SPAHN4a4.22