Archaic noun for a gathering, especially a Buddhist or festive event. In modern Japanese, this meaning is mostly found in historical or literary contexts, or in compound words like 法会 (ほうえ, Buddhist memorial service).
Old records say that a spring gathering was held on a grand scale.
The word 法会 still refers to a Buddhist gathering today.
Written the same way, 会 read かい is the common modern word for a meeting, club, or association, while 会 read え is an archaic term confined to Buddhist or festive gatherings.
絵 (え) means 'picture' and only sounds identical to 会 (え), which means an archaic gathering; the two are unrelated in meaning.
counter for occurrences; times · time; instance; occasion · inning (baseball); round; game · episode; chapter; installment · Hui (people) · Islam
understanding; comprehension; mastery
once-in-a-lifetime encounter; treasuring every meeting as unique
slight bow; nod of greeting; salutation · consideration; thoughtfulness
life release ceremony; ceremony of releasing captive animals
memorial service; temple service · Nichiren memorial service
Buddhist service; memorial service
collection of pictures; illustrated book
Buddhist memorial service
understand; comprehend
Standard kanji form; the reading え is the only one given.
The kanji 会 means 'meeting' or 'gathering'. The reading え is the native Japanese reading (kun'yomi) and is now archaic as a standalone word, surviving mainly in compounds.
epiglottis
perineum
seasonal court banquet
Buddhist lecture meeting
memorial service for Nichiren
Buddhist lantern festival
Buddhist name-recitation ceremony
Buddha's birthday celebration; service for the Buddha's birth