8 historic board games that originated in Asia

Tatler Asia

2 days ago

2. Shogi (Japan, approximately 8th century)
Above Shogi (Photo: Mahmoud Adel / Unsplash)
If Western chess is war with honour, shogi is war with espionage, betrayal and reincarnation. Known as Japanese chess, shogi was played by samurai and is still a cultural mainstay, with televised tournaments and manga fame (see: March Comes in Like a Lion ).
What makes shogi interesting is how captured pieces switch sides. Your opponent's bishop, for example, can become your assassin. Brutal, poetic and very Kill Bill . Where to play it now:
Try shogi apps or dive into the real-deal woodboard version sold at Tokyo's Nakamura Jōki shop (established 1859). You can also stream a match and watch pros in kimonos face off like it's an intellectual WWE showdown. 3. Xiangqi (China, 12th to 13th century AD)
Above Xiangqi (Photo: Vyacheslav Koval / Unsplash)
Xiangqi is what happens when military strategy meets Taoist thinking. The gameboard mimics a battlefield, complete with a 'river' that divides the two armies and 'palaces' to protect the king (general). Cannons jump over pieces to attack, and elephants can't cross water.
As far as board games go, it can be fast, fierce and is often played by shirtless uncles in the parks of Beijing, where he will obliterate you in around 40 moves. Where to play it now:
Visit xiangqi.com, Hong Kong's Victoria Park or Taipei's chess squares.
See more: Game on! Spice up your group outings with these fun board games 4. Makruk (Thailand, 12th to 14th century)
Above Makruk (Photo: B20180 / Wikimedia Commons)
Makruk is Thailand's elegant version of chess, and many argue it's even closer to the game's original Indian ancestor, chaturanga (which we'll discuss later). Here, pawns turn into queens, pieces have more limited range and endgames are more strategic than chaotic. It's like playing chess in a tuxedo—more refined, less brutal.
Unlike many of these board games, which have gone to obscurity, Thai kids still learn makruk at school, and the game is often played at temples or during quiet family gatherings. It is less performative than Western chess, but just as savage underneath. Where to play it now:
Look for local chess cafés in Bangkok or visit ThaiChessAssociation.com. Some luxury hotels even offer makruk boards in their libraries. 5. Pachisi (India, 4th century CE)
Above Pachisi (Photo: Jan Ranft / Unsplash)
Pachisi, also known as the royal game of India, is over 1,000 years old and was reportedly played with live courtiers as pawns at Emperor Akbar's palace. The cross-shaped board symbolises karma and fate, and the game blends chance (cowrie shells were used instead of dice) with strategy.
It later inspired Ludo, Sorry! and every friendship-ending move in Parcheesi. Think of it as the chic, ancient ancestor of modern party games, but with better outfits and more drama. Where to play it now:
You'll still find hand-painted pachisi boards in Rajasthan's artisan markets. You can also download a digital version to play while waiting for your turmeric latte. 6. Hanafuda (Japan, 18th century)
Above Hanafuda (Photo: Marcus Richert / Wikimedia Commons)
When Western playing cards were banned in Japan, gamblers and rebels made their own. Enter hanafuda, or 'flower cards'. Each card represents a month with poetic floral illustrations (think cherry blossoms, irises, maple leaves). It's part memory game, part art appreciation. Where to play it now:
You can still buy exquisite hanafuda decks in Kyoto (Nintendo, which started as a hanafuda card manufacturer, makes them) or download apps to play. Koi-Koi is its most famous variant. 7. Chaturanga (India, 6th century)
Above Chaturanga (Photo: Chaturaji / Wikimedia Commons)
Long before pawns dreamed of promotions and bishops cut across diagonals, there was chaturanga, the grandfather of board games. It's a game of military strategy from ancient India that would go on to become chess as the world knows it. Played on an eight-by-eight board and featuring four divisions of the Indian army (infantry, cavalry, elephants and chariots), chaturanga mimicked battlefield tactics in turn-based form.
It travelled westward to Persia (where it became shatranj), passed through the Islamic world and eventually reached medieval Europe, picking up queens, bishops and castles along the way.
While modern chess has shed many of its Sanskrit roots, the soul of the game remains distinctly Asian. And in case you're wondering: yes, the term 'checkmate' is derived from the Persian 'shāh māt'—meaning 'the king is helpless'. Where to play it now:
Modern recreations of chaturanga can be found in historical gaming museums or online platforms. For a cultural deep dive, some Indian museums and game cafés host traditional board game nights featuring ancient classics like chaturanga, pachisi and moksha patamu.
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Above Mahjong (Photo: Jing Bo Wang / Unsplash)
Some say mahjong is a game, others say it's a lifestyle. Born in the Qing Dynasty and codified in the 19th century, mahjong combines memory, strategy, luck and the kind of family feuds that only a four-player table can inspire. With its beautifully etched tiles and hypnotic clacking, mahjong isn't just played, it's performed. The game reflects Confucian ideals of harmony and balance, and its complexity has kept generations hooked across Asia and beyond.
Mahjong travelled with Chinese diaspora communities in the early 20th century and was quickly embraced in the West, particularly among Jewish American women in the 1920s (a love affair that still thrives today). Today, it's both highbrow and homey: fashion houses like Valentino and Gucci have created mahjong-inspired accessories, and luxury game sets can run into the thousands. Where to play it now:
Drop by Hong Kong or Shanghai teahouses or Taiwanese night markets where you'll find old masters and eager rookies locked in all-day tile battles. You can also check Chinatown communities worldwide. Whether it's NYC or Vancouver, mahjong parlours remain social hubs. Brands like Mahjong Line have also given the game a Gen-Z facelift with colourful redesigns and Instagram-friendly sets.