The History of Mahjong

Contrary to popular myths attributing the game to Confucius or ancient dynasties, scholarly consensus places mahjong's origins firmly in the mid-19th century. The game developed in the coastal regions around Ningbo, Shanghai, and Nanjing during the waning years of the Qing Dynasty.

Mahjong evolved from earlier games, particularly Madiao (a trick-taking card game popular in the Ming Dynasty) and possibly Yezi Pai (leaf cards with money symbols). The transition from cards to tiles may have occurred for durability and the satisfying tactile experience tiles provide.

The name '麻雀' (máquè) means 'sparrow' in Chinese. This likely refers to the distinctive clicking and clacking sounds of tiles being shuffled, which resembles the chattering of sparrows. Some scholars suggest it derived from the earlier game name 'Madiao.'

Originally, mahjong was primarily a gambling game played by men. It spread through China's treaty ports—cities opened to foreign trade after the Opium Wars—carried by merchants and travelers who brought it back to their home provinces.

Joseph Park Babcock, a representative for Standard Oil, arrived in China in 1913. By 1917, stationed in Soochow (Suzhou), he had become fascinated with mahjong. Recognizing its appeal, he simplified the rules, added Arabic numerals to the tiles, and trademarked the spelling 'Mah-Jongg.'

The first sets went on sale at Abercrombie & Fitch in New York in 1920, marketed as an exotic, ancient Chinese tradition. The timing was perfect—Americans in the Roaring Twenties were hungry for novelty and the mystique of the Orient.

By 1922-1924, mahjong mania had swept the nation. The game was particularly popular among wealthy white women who had the leisure time to learn and play. President Warren Harding and First Lady Florence Harding played at the White House. Hollywood celebrities hosted mahjong parties.

The craze reached remarkable heights: by 1924, mahjong sets were the sixth largest import from Shanghai to the United States. Bone from Kansas and Chicago cattle was shipped to China specifically to manufacture tiles for the American market.

As suddenly as it began, the craze faded in the late 1920s, replaced by new fads like miniature golf and crossword puzzles. But mahjong didn't disappear—it found a permanent home in certain communities.

After the initial craze faded, mahjong survived in dedicated communities—particularly among Jewish women in New York and other major cities. However, a proliferation of competing rule sets created confusion when players from different regions met.

In 1937, four women — Viola Cecil, Dorothy Meyerson, Herma Jacobs, and Hortense Potter — founded the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) in New York City. Nearly 400 women rallied at Manhattan's Essex House hotel to support the effort to standardize American rules.

The NMJL codified innovations that define American mahjong today: the annual scoring card listing all valid winning hands and the Charleston (a ritual exchange of tiles before play). Joker tiles were added to the official rules in 1961.

The organization grew rapidly—from its founding to over 35,000 members by 1941. The card system proved brilliant: it gave players a shared framework while keeping the game fresh year after year. The tradition of taking the card to vacation spots like the Catskills and Miami helped spread it nationwide.

Beyond gaming, the NMJL became a charitable organization. What began as support for Jewish refugees has evolved into funding for over 25 charitable causes. Today, the League remains the standard-setting authority for American mahjong, with over 350,000 members.

Mahjong arrived in Japan in 1909, but it would take decades for the distinctive Riichi variant to emerge. The publication of the Hochi rules in 1952 established the foundation for modern Japanese mahjong, introducing unique mechanics like the riichi declaration and dora bonus tiles.

The 1960s saw Riichi mahjong solidify. Mahjong celebrities like Takeo Kojima emerged in the late 1960s, and professional-level competition began with the Saikouisen title match in 1976. Kojima founded Japan's first professional mahjong organization (JPML) in 1981. Japan developed a robust competitive scene with ranked players, televised matches, and eventually, in the 2000s, dominant online platforms.

Hong Kong and Cantonese mahjong developed its own traditions, featuring the faan (番) scoring system and typically requiring a minimum of 3 faan to win. The game became deeply embedded in Hong Kong culture, commonly played during Chinese New Year and family gatherings.

Taiwan developed a 16-tile variant (versus the standard 13), allowing for larger, more complex hands. Regional variants also emerged in Sichuan (the 'Blood Battle' style where play continues after the first win) and other Chinese provinces.

When the People's Republic of China was established in 1949, the new government outlawed mahjong along with other gambling activities. The game was seen as a symbol of capitalist corruption and bourgeois decadence.

The Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) brought even harsher persecution. Mahjong was condemned as 'old culture' that needed to be destroyed. Players were publicly persecuted, and nearly all mahjong-related items were outlawed or destroyed. 'If you wanted to play, you had to hide in a den like a criminal,' one player recalled.

The ban began to lift in 1985, and people cautiously returned to playing in public. By 1998, unable to suppress the game's enduring popularity, the Chinese government took a remarkable turn: it reclassified mahjong as a 'sport' and began permitting public tournaments.

Today, mahjong is once again a beloved pastime throughout China. Automatic shuffling tables are common in homes, and the game is played in parks, teahouses, and community centers across the nation.

The 2000s brought mahjong into the digital age. Japan's Tenhou (launched 2006) introduced Riichi mahjong to a global audience and, crucially, generated nearly two decades of game logs that enabled statistical analysis of strategy — transforming how the game is studied and taught. Mahjong Soul (2019) later attracted millions of new players with its accessible, anime-styled interface.

Mahjong Soul, with its anime aesthetics and accessible interface, proved particularly successful at attracting younger players. The platform has attracted millions of players and spawned a vibrant streaming and content creation community.

American mahjong has experienced its own renaissance. Social media groups, YouTube tutorials, and apps have lowered barriers to entry. The NMJL continues to thrive, and new organizations have emerged to serve players of all ages and backgrounds.

International competition has grown substantially. Riichi tournaments draw players from over 30 countries, while American mahjong cruises and conventions attract thousands. The game that nearly died in the late 1920s—and was literally banned in its homeland—has never been more globally popular.