Fourfold Journal

Editorial watercolor illustration suggesting mahjong’s journey from nineteenth-century China to American tables in the 1920s.
From China to American Tables
Trace mahjong from nineteenth-century China through the 1920s U.S. craze and the communities that kept the game alive. Read more...
How American Mah Jongg Evolved
How American Mah Jongg Evolved
Explore the annual card, Charleston, jokers and the distinct history of American Mah Jongg. Read more...
The People Who Kept Mahjong at the Table
The People Who Kept Mahjong at the Table
Learn how Chinese American and Jewish American communities sustained different mahjong traditions beyond the 1920s fad. Read more...
Editorial watercolor illustration of an inviting mahjong table with tiles and a notebook.
Where People Gather to Play
From home tables to community classes, explore the settings and invitations that help people learn and play together. Read more...
Editorial watercolor illustration of mahjong tiles, a measuring card, and a first-set buying checklist.
Choosing Your First American Mahjong Set
Check the rules, tile inventory, material, size, variants and included accessories before buying your first set. Read more...
Editorial watercolor illustration of a four-seat mahjong table prepared with tiles, racks, light, tea, and snacks.
How to Host Your First American Mahjong Night
A usable plan for inviting players, preparing equipment, teaching at a calm pace and making a first game welcoming. Read more...