As somebody of Chinese language descent, visitations at my kinfolk’ would usually be crammed with the ambiance of clacking mahjong tiles and the loud chatter between relations in Cantonese.

The sport consists of a set of 144 tiles primarily based on Chinese language characters and symbols, meant to be performed amongst 4 people. Some regional variations might omit some tiles or add distinctive ones.

In Malaysia, the most typical variation is 3-player mahjong which makes use of a set of 84 tiles. You’ve doubtless seen the frequent acrylic units with kuih talam trying tiles in inexperienced and white, printed with vividly colored characters and photos on their high sides.

At an artwork exhibition to showcase particular person ardour initiatives by the crew at Studio Pink HongYi, full-time designer Kaiyi Wong got here up with a mahjong set constructed from Chengal wooden, entitled Myjong.

After it launched, Kaiyi started getting requests from consumers to obtain the set. Although he didn’t have ready-made ones, potential prospects provided to fund the artist in working the undertaking. 

Therefore, Kaiyi managed to assemble a small pool of funds to create extra of his RM3,000 Chengal wooden Myjong units.

Malaysian themed mahjong

The inspiration for Myjong got here after Kaiyi’s return from the UK the place he accomplished his Grasp’s diploma in structure. Transferring in together with his sister, she launched him to the Chinese language sport which grew to become a routine for the siblings’ weekend nights.

Whereas enjoying, the duo would casually talk about the sport’s origins and the way it’s circulated in Malaysia, however largely stored throughout the native Chinese language neighborhood.

They usually’re not fallacious to assume so. Most mahjong gamers often comprise these of Chinese language blood. It may be stated that the exclusivity issue of mahjong is because of the visuals printed on its tiles. 

Loads of them have Chinese language characters on them, and like the cardboard sport Uno, there are specific phrases gamers have to shout aloud when sure melds (units) are shaped.

Being a foodie, Kaiyi thought it’d be enjoyable to reimagine mahjong tiles in a Malaysian context so different races may higher perceive the sport. 

A portmanteau of the phrases “Malaysia” and “mahjong”, the visuals on Myjong’s tiles are primarily based on Malaysian motifs. From our native meals and artwork to tradition, it’s possible you’ll even spot a well-recognized face within the 84-piece wood set.

“I do hope individuals would realise that I’m subtly implying the problem of racial segregation that we are likely to look away from [in mahjong]. I do hope that at some point there will probably be totally different races of Malaysians who can sit across the desk and play the sport whereas chit-chatting concerning the magnificence and variety of Malaysia,” acknowledged the 27-year-old.

Shaping the tiles

Kaiyi advised Vulcan Put up that it took him a tough 2 months to make his Chengal Myjong set. Although the breed of wooden carries its personal magnificence, the fabricating course of is painstaking and time-consuming. 

In search of suppliers and coping with fabricators was difficult for the designer, provided that creating authentic mahjong items out of the chosen materials hasn’t been accomplished earlier than, to his data.

Moreover, deciding on and procuring high-quality Chengal wooden can’t be accomplished on a whim both, as particulars just like the wooden’s tones and circulate of its fibres are taken under consideration.

“I’ve to be very selective and attentive on high quality management whereas being conscious of the restricted price range constraint. Additionally, I’ve to credit score my working companion Adrian for dealing with the undertaking for me, I can’t presumably do all of it on my own,” defined Kaiyi.

The uncooked supplies are then despatched to a carpenter to form earlier than Kaiyi takes it to his personal studio to individually sand down all of the tough edges. It could then be ready to go below the laser the place the designs are engraved piece by piece, together with the set’s cube. 

Lastly, all tiles are varnished with a layer of oil to provide them a slight sheen. 

Whereas engaged on the completion of the mahjong tiles, Myjong’s field is outsourced to a carpenter who Kaiyi described as being passionate and meticulous about woodwork. 

For Myjong’s plywood units, nevertheless, the lead time is lower in half as the method is extra easy, in keeping with Kaiyi. Other than outsourcing the woodcutting, the meeting and engraving are accomplished himself which takes about 1 month to finish.

It’s tough to cost artwork

Bought at RM3,000 for the Chengal wooden set and RM1,500 for the plywood possibility, the typical revenue Myjong positive factors from gross sales is between 5%-10%. With Myjong being an artwork piece, Kaiyi acknowledged that it was tough to cost such works.

“There isn’t any approach to quantify artwork. For instance, the ‘Banana on the wall’ piece is bought for US$120,000,” he exemplified.

“At first, I reckoned I’d cost 50% for labour (largely fabricators) and materials prices, whereas the opposite 50% can be for my artwork and innovation—cheap isn’t it? However sadly, it ended up being 95% for labour and materials, whereas 5% was for artwork and innovation.”

With Myjong’s intention in making mahjong extra inclusive to Malaysians, pricing his units too excessive would defeat its meant goal. 

“To be actually sincere, this can be a non-profit undertaking, because the fabrication prices are so excessive as a result of it’s nearly 100% handcrafted,” conceded Kaiyi.

Since launching Myjong round 2 months in the past, the inventive has bought 6 units in complete—1 plywood and 5 Chengal. Early birds who invested within the undertaking have been capable of get the units at half-price.

For now, Myjong’s prospects vary from younger to middle-aged adults who’re largely Malaysian Chinese language. He has additionally been getting a couple of inquiries from abroad prospects, although searching for 4-person mahjong units. 

By the tip of 2021, Kaiyi hopes to promote extra portions of Myjong’s plywood units as they’re extra inexpensive for purchasers.

Training will lead adoption

Kaiyi definitely has some extent stating that mahjong is usually adopted by the Chinese language market in Malaysia. Nevertheless, mahjong in itself isn’t essentially the most accessible sport in comparison with card video games like poker, and even chess which is well moveable.

Moreover, the language barrier it poses doesn’t make it simply comprehensible for non-Mandarin audio system. However as with every complicated gameplays, a degree of training and observe would clear up these points. 

If Kaiyi hopes to see the intention of his Malaysian-themed mahjong units come to go, maybe internet hosting intimate classes to study the sport at board sport cafes as soon as it’s secure once more might be an excellent begin for the inventive.

This might enable , potential prospects to get hands-on with the units for a greater really feel of them and the sport, and Kaiyi can take his time to elucidate the gameplay in a manner that’s extra interactive and enjoyable than Googling the principles. These experiences will surely be ones to recollect and will result in greater adoption of the sport amongst non-Mandarin audio system.

• You may study extra about Myjong right here.
• You may examine different Malaysian startups right here.

Featured Picture Credit score: Kaiyi, founding father of Myjong