Mahjong’s Rise Divides Players in the US

Why this is here: The A24 mahjong set features unnumbered flower tiles, a design choice that renders it unplayable with many popular Chinese and Hong Kong versions of the game.

Nicole Wong, author and creator of The Mahjong Project, observes a growing gap between Asian diasporic communities and new players in the United States. Mahjong is gaining popularity as a lifestyle trend, particularly among white women, while remaining a cultural inheritance for many Asian people. Wong expresses mixed feelings about this shift, noting both empowerment and a sense of loss.

A recent American mahjong set created by A24, inspired by the film Everything Everywhere All At Once, illustrates this divide. The set’s unnumbered flower tiles make it incompatible with many traditional Chinese and Hong Kong styles of play. This design choice suggests a prioritization of the Americanized version of the game, despite being marketed alongside an Asian American film.

The author notes the set’s design limits its usability for those familiar with the game’s origins. Wong reflects on missed opportunities for broader inclusivity, even within products intended to celebrate Asian American culture. The future of mahjong’s place within the diaspora remains a complex question.