noun
reins; bridle
Literal leather straps used to control a horse. Also appears in set phrases like 手綱を握る (take the reins).
乗馬クラブで初めて手綱を握った。
I held the reins for the first time at the riding club.
noun
control; the reins
Figurative extension: control or guidance over a person, organization, or situation. Often used in expressions like 手綱を握る (take control) or 手綱を緩める (loosen control).
社長が会社の手綱を握っている。
The president holds the reins of the company.
親が子供の手綱を緩めすぎると危ない。
It's dangerous if parents loosen the reins on their children too much.
制御 is a technical or mechanical term for control (e.g., of machines), while 手綱 is a figurative expression for guiding people or situations, often with a nuance of leadership.
支配 implies domination or rule over something, whereas 手綱 suggests a more hands-on, guiding control, like holding the reins of a horse.
Compound of 手 (hand) and 綱 (rope, cord). The reading たづな is a native Japanese word; the kanji are used for their meaning.