The Story Behind the Mahj
Some of my earliest memories are not of games, but of stories. Those tales shaped my imagination long before I knew they would one day inspire a collection of mahjong tiles.
Tales of Mahj was born.
As a child, I spent countless hours lost in the pages of Les Fables de La Fontaine or from Kalila et Dimna . Through clever animals, wise kings, wandering travelers, and hidden lessons, I learned that every object, every creature, and every journey carried a story waiting to be told. Those tales shaped my imagination long before I knew they would one day inspire a collection of mahjong tiles.
For many years, mahjong was not part of my world.
That changed when my dear friend Mary invited me to learn the game before attending one of her open play gatherings in Bethesda. I arrived knowing almost nothing about mahjong. Around the table were three other women who were just as new as I was. We laughed through our mistakes, celebrated our small victories, and by the end of the evening something magical had happened. We had connected.
What began as a lesson quickly became a tradition.
Every Thursday, we gathered around the tiles. Week after week, friendships deepened, stories were exchanged, and a game that initially seemed mysterious became a cherished ritual. I soon realized that mahjong was about far more than strategy and patterns. It was about community, connection, and creating moments that become memories.
The idea for Tales of Mahj was born in another place I love dearly: my friend Erin’s Art studio.
One afternoon, inspired by the beauty of handmade objects, I wondered: could a mahjong tile be made from clay? When I shared the idea with Erin, she immediately encouraged me. She thought it was wonderful, and her enthusiasm gave me the confidence to explore further.
That simple question opened a door.
As I immersed myself in the world of mahjong sets, I discovered an astonishing universe of craftsmanship and design. I noticed the satisfying sound of well-made tiles shuffling together. I admired the richness of colors, the weight of different materials, and the personality that each set carried. Some felt playful, others elegant, others deeply nostalgic. No two sets seemed to tell exactly the same story.
My curiosity grew.
Was this game new? Where had it come from? Who first played it?
As I began reading about mahjong’s history, I found myself transported back to 1920, when Joseph Park Babcock introduced the game to America. I imagined steamships crossing oceans, elegant parlors filled with conversation, women gathering around tables, and the excitement of discovering a game from a distant land. The more I learned, the more vivid these scenes became.
It all began to weave together.
And from that tapestry of memories, friendships, craftsmanship, and imagination, Tales of Mahj was born.
Each collection is more than a set of tiles.
- And So...
Tales of Mahj was born.
A story waiting to be told around your table.
