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Ivory Colored Asian Mah Jongg tiles, no English Letters or Numbers - $125 (SAHUARITA)
condition:
new
make / manufacturer:
Mah Jongg Maven
model name / number:
T-19 Asian Mah Jongg
size / dimensions:
1 3/16 x 7/8 x 9/16
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This set consists of:
• 8 blank tiles
• 36 Characters (Craks/Numbers): In the far left column, these show Chinese numerals (1-9) above the character for "10,000" (萬), symbolizing prosperity.
• 36 Dots (Circles/Wheels): Seen in the second column from the left, these represent ancient Chinese coins.
• 36 Bamboo (Bams/Sticks): Located on the right column, these represent strings of coins. The One Bamboo is often a bird, as seen at the top of the bamboo column.
• Three sets of 4 Dragons
• Four sets of 4 Winds—third column, center: East (東), North (北), South (南), and West (西).
• One set of 4 Seasons: (Top Row): Numbered 1-4 with red Chinese characters. They represent Spring (1, 春), Summer (2, 夏), Autumn (3, 秋), and Winter (4, 冬).
• One set of 4 Flowers: (Second Row): Numbered 1-4 with blue characters. These are often the "Four Gentlemen" plants:
Plum Blossom (1), Orchid (2), Chrysanthemum (3), and Bamboo (4).
• Three dice used to determine the dealer and starting wall.
• My understanding is that the Green-Framed Tiles with the two Red characters inside are decorative Jokers or special Bonus tiles (like "Double Happiness"). The characters 百搭 (Bǎidā) on the tile signify its role as a "wild" or universal tile. In the context of a 2000 Mah Jongg Maven set, these were included to allow the set to be used for regional variations of the game.
Dragon Tiles (Third column, bottom section): Also known as "Arrows," these represent Confucian virtues or aspects of archery.
• White Dragon (Blank/Bordered): Called "Soap" (白板, bái bǎn), representing purity, honesty, or freedom from corruption. Corresponds to Dots (Circles).
• Green Dragon (發, fā): Short for fā cái ("get rich"), symbolizing prosperity and growth. Corresponds to Bams (Bamboo).
• Red Dragon (中, zhōng): Represents the center, achievement, or benevolence. Corresponds to Craks (Characters).
At the top of the third column, the circular disc with a window showing each of the four winds in Asian mah jongg is called a “Wind Indicator, Wind Disc, or Bettor.” It is used to track the current round and the prevailing wind (East, South, West, or North) which is essential for scoring and identifying the banker.
Operation: The disc is rotated so that the active wind (marked with Chinese characters) appears in the window.
Placement: It is typically placed in the center of the table.
It is not typically used in American Mah Jongg, where wind positions are less critical, but it is standard for classical Chinese and Japanese styles.
Also included are the three books shown in the last photo: A Mah Jong Handbook: How to Play, Score, and Win, by Eleanor Noss Whitney is a comprehensive, informative, illustrated 176-page book that describes “the true Mah Jong game, as codified by the Japan Mah Jong Association,” although the author also has presented all the variations with which she is familiar.
Dieter Kohnen's book, Mah-Jongg Basic Rules and Strategies is a 64-page booklet true to its title.
The small pink, 21-page pamphlet, Directions of Playing Mah-Jongg: "Chinese Game of Four Winds" came with the set. It is of questionable utility, but because it came with the set, I have included it.
Cash only offers, please.