Iki takes place in Edo during the period of the same name (1603-1868). Edo was the name for Tokyo at that time. In the Nihonbashi district, you’ll find the busiest market in the city. Not far from the main street is a fish market, where boats bring their cargo and the calls of buyers and sellers echo.
In houses around the main street, called Nagaya, live artisans and merchants with diverse skills essential to the daily life of Edo's inhabitants. According to estimates, between 700 and 800 different professions existed in Edo: fan makers, lantern makers, tatami weavers, printmakers, peddlers, tempura or sushi stall owners, geishas, kabuki actors, and many others are represented in IKI as cards.
Live a whole year in Edo and try to become the best Edokko, “the child of Edo,” by looking after the well-being and prosperity of the city and its inhabitants. Recruit characters from different trades, have them work on Nihonbashi’s main street, and help them accumulate experience until they retire. The winner is the Edokko who has accumulated the most IKI, a philosophical concept from the Edo period considered an ideal way of life.
A game of IKI lasts 13 rounds: the first 12 represent the 12 months of the year and play out in the same way. The 13th round, New Year's, is played a little differently.
Each of the first 12 months unfolds in 3 phases: The 1st phase "Lifestyle," where players decide their position on the Ikizama track.
The 2nd phase "Actions" where players A) Recruit a Character or Collect their Income, then B) move their Oyakata and carry out transactions on the Main Street.
The 3rd phase "Event and End of Round" plays out differently depending on the month: The "End of Round" step occurs every month.
Account settlements are made at the end of months 3, 6, 9, and 12 (i.e., at the end of each season). A Fire occurs at the end of months 5, 8, and 11.
Contents: 1 board, 4 player boards, 70 cards, 83 wooden pieces, 147 tokens, 1 score pad, rulebook
Age: 14+ / Players: 2-4 / Duration: 60-90min
