Japanese symbol for “keystone”
要
かなめ
Romaji: kaname
pivot
In Japanese, keystone is 要, read かなめ (kaname).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- n pivot
- n vital point; cornerstone; keystone
- n Japanese photinia
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “keystone”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 要石 | かなめいし kanameishi | keystone |
| くさび石 | くさびいし kusabiishi | keystone |
| 剣石 | けんいし ken'ishi | keystone |
| キーストーン | キーストーン kiisutoon | keystone |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 必要 | ひつよう hitsuyou | necessary; needed; essential |
| 重要 | じゅうよう juuyou | important; essential; significant |
| 要求 | ようきゅう youkyuu | demand; firm request; requisition |
| 要素 | ようそ youso | element; component; factor |
| 需要 | じゅよう juyou | demand; need |
| 要請 | ようせい yousei | appeal; call for something; request |
See also: Chinese symbol for “keystone”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.