Videos
Iki EN
A game of
Koota Yamada
Illustrated by
David Sitbon
2-4 players
14+ years
60 to 90 min
Welcome to Edo
IKI takes place in Edo during the period of the same name (1603-1868). Edo was the name of Tokyo at that time.
In Nihonbashi district, the most animated market of the city can be found.
Stalls in the Nihonbashi market
Near the main street, there is a fish market, where boats bring their goods and where the cries of the sellers and buyers echo.
In houses around the main street called Nagaya, live craftsmen and shopkeepers, with various skills required for the daily life of Edo’s citizens.
According to estimates, between 700 and 800 different occupations exist in Edo: fan or lantern makers, tatami weavers, printers, hawkers, tempura or sushi sellers, geishas, kabuki actors and many others are represented in IKI as cards.
How to win ?
Live a whole year in Edo and try to become the best Edokko, « the child of Edo » by looking after the welfare and prosperity of the city and its citizens. Recruit characters from different professions, make them work in the main street of Nihonbashi and let them accumulate experience until they retire.
The winner is the Edokko who has earned the most IKI, a philosophical concept from the Edo period that is considered an ideal of life.
How to play ?
A game of IKI lasts 13 rounds: the first 12 represent the 12 months of the year and are played in the same way. The 13th round, the New Year, is played in a slightly different way. Each of the first 12 months is played in 3 phases:
The 1st « Lifestyle » phase, where players choose their position on the Ikizama track. The 2nd « Actions » phase, where players A) Recruit a Character or Collect their Income, then B) move their Oyakata and conduct transactions in the Main Street.
The 3rd « Event and End of Round » phase is different for each month:
- The « End of Round » stage takes place every month.
- The Account Balance is done at the end of months 3, 6, 9 and 12 (i.e. at the end of each season).
- A Fire happens at the end of months 5, 8 and 11.
The Iki : Akebono Expansion
Akebono is the official expansion for Iki, coming out in 2023. It will feature new mechanics, in addition to bringing more cards and tokens to your base game !
