弈

Chinese chess

Strokes9

Readings

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弈 centers on the game of Chinese chess (囲碁-like strategy game). Its meaning is narrow and specific to that board game.

弈 combines 亦 (likely phonetic) with 廾 (two hands), suggesting a game played with both hands. The exact historical development is uncertain.

The top 亦 looks like a board, and the bottom 廾 looks like two hands moving pieces. Picture two hands playing a game of Chinese chess on a board.

For エキ, imagine the game pieces making a sharp 'ek' sound as they click on the board: ek -> エキ, like the crisp sound of a chess move.