explain
釋 centers on making something clear or free: explaining an idea, releasing a hold, or letting go of a burden.
釋 combines 釆 (distinguish) with 睪 (likely phonetic, also associated with looking or spying). The original idea is to separate and clarify, leading to 'explain' and 'release'.
The left side 釆 suggests sorting or distinguishing, and the right side 睪 looks like an eye over a net. Imagine carefully examining something tangled and then explaining it clearly, or releasing it from confusion.
For シャク, picture a teacher explaining a difficult concept while holding a piece of chalk: chalk -> シャク, and the explanation makes everything clear.