Where this game comes from
Janggi (Korean chess)
Janggi is Korea’s form of the same family of games. It has been played in Korea for centuries; its pieces and rules are close to xiangqi’s, with real differences.
One thing to hold: Janggi pieces are octagons, sized by rank: the General largest, the guards and soldiers smallest. One side is written in red (Han), the other in blue or green (Cho).
Why it matters: Janggi has no river. Each General starts in the middle of its palace, and pieces may move along the palace diagonals. The cannon must jump over a piece even to move, and it may never jump over or take another cannon.
What we don’t know: When the game reached Korea, and from where exactly, is not known.