Only with reading せき
Refers to a physical barrier, gate, or checkpoint, especially historical ones on roads. Also used as a suffix in words like 関所 (checkpoint) or 税関 (customs).
To pass through the checkpoint at Hakone, one needed a travel permit.
In the old days, travelers had to show a pass at the barrier.
昔、この道には関が置かれていた。
Long ago, a barrier checkpoint was set up on this road.
seki; mutual life
A Go term for a position where neither player can capture the other without losing their own stones, resulting in a local stalemate. Usually written in katakana.
この形はセキになるので、どちらも打てない。
This shape becomes seki, so neither side can play there.
The enemy broke through the barrier and attacked the castle town.
関 (a barrier or checkpoint) and 席 (a seat) share the same reading せき but are completely unrelated in meaning, so listeners must rely on context.
関 (せき) shares the same reading with 堰 but means a checkpoint or barrier for people or traffic, not a structure for controlling water.
ōzeki (second highest rank in sumo)
sekitori; ranked sumo wrestler
sekiwake (sumo rank)
checkpoint; barrier station
barrier keeper; checkpoint guard
Standard kanji spelling for barrier, gate, and checkpoint senses.
Katakana spelling is usual for the Go term; this sense is usu. セキ.
The kanji 関 originally depicts a gate or barrier. The Go term seki is a borrowing from Japanese into English Go terminology.
Shimonoseki campaign (1863-1864); Shimonoseki bombardment