Keeping the Craft Alive: The Art of Mahjong Tile Carving in Hong Kong
Keeping the craft alive: One of just three or four mahjong carvers left in Hong Kong, Ho Sau Mei is committed to sustaining this traditional art form.
A dying industry: Ho, 59 years old, is one of Hong Kong’s last mahjong tile carvers. She started carving when she was just 13 years old and now runs her family shop.Kam Fat Mahjong: Tucked away in Hung Hom, Kam Fat Mahjong shop is a narrow, open-air space. There’s not much to it, aside from a small work desk.Preserving the past: Ho tells CNN that she can’t make a living off mahjong tile carving. However, she continues to work, because the shop contains her childhood memories and she wants to preserve the art.
Crafting the Tiles
The process of creating mahjong tiles is intricate and labor-intensive. First, the hard plastic is softened by a heated lamp before etching patterns onto the blocks.
Making the tiles: She first softens the hard plastic by a heated lamp, before etching patterns onto the blocks.
Tools and Techniques
Ho crafts all of her tools herself. Although she finds the carving straightforward, the physical toll of hunching over a table for extended periods leads to back pain and eye strain.
Tools of the trade: The 59-year-old fashions all of her tools herself. The challenging aspect is maintaining the posture for hours, which leads to discomfort.
Painting and Finishing Touches
Once each design is etched, vibrant colors are added to the grooves. She carefully paints with red, green, or blue, then wipes away the excess to reveal the pattern.
Painting: Once each design is etched, she uses a brush to paint the grooves with red, green or blue, wiping away the excess, so only the pattern remains.
The Final Product
Ho takes approximately four to five days to complete a set of tiles, which consists of 144 pieces featuring various suits and special tiles.
What’s in a set? A four-person Hong Kong mahjong set comprises 144 pieces, including the four suits — bamboo, dots, characters, directional winds — and special tiles like flowers, seasons, and dragons.
Playing Mahjong
Similar to a more complex version of gin rummy, mahjong is played by four players who engage in strategy and skill, picking up and discarding tiles to form pairs and sequences.
How to play: In this engaging game, players collaborate and strategize around the table for extended periods, enhancing social interaction.
Mahjong Game Nights
Modern venues such as Dim Sum Library in the Admiralty District offer an elegant atmosphere for young enthusiasts to enjoy traditional mahjong alongside contemporary dining experiences.
Game nights: The Dim Sum Library merges culinary delight with the excitement of mahjong, creating a sophisticated social experience.Tea time: Enjoy exquisite tea-infused cocktails alongside traditional offerings for a refreshing twist during game time.Happy hour: Experience unique culinary twists that enhance the mahjong experience for patrons looking for something special.
