a) 婆 -> 如 -> 吐 -> 坊
婆 BA - old woman
如 JO, NYO - equal, like, as, as if
吐 TOU, ha(ku) - spew, vomit, give vent to
坊 BOU, BO - priest's residence, priest, boy
b) 柔 -> 棋 -> 碁 -> 碑
柔 JUU, NYUU, yawa(rakai) - soft
棋 KI - go, shogi, Japanese chess
碁 GO - go (board game)
砂 SA, SHA, suna - sand