The Eastern Time published an article about delegation from China Palace Museum visited Japan Mahjong Museum, so the news about new found of in China Palace Museum was wide spread around East Asian due circulation of The Eastern Time in China, Malaysia and Japan.
The Big Discovery of Mahjong culture from China Palace Museum
Japan Mahjong Museum Director Mr. Kyouyitiro Noguti
The Meaning of Discovery and the Future of Mahjong Exchange
Q: There are new discoveries about Mahjong culture since September form China Palace Museum ??..
A: This discovery of a box includes super A level Mahjong tiles, paper tiles and Mahjong tables. Every item was used in the Forbidden City in late Qing Dynasty era, from 1900 to 1920.
Q: Where did they found these items in Palace Museum?
A: In a paper box. A lot of artifacts were transferred to Nanjing during the wartime, they are been transfer back after the war. There are a lot of boxes have not been checked, there are a possibility that more discoveries to be unfold.
Q: The meaning of this discovery?
A: This discovery proved that . The Empress, Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai are famous for their fond interest in Mahjong, but we don??t know what kind of tile they used. The Mahjong set founded in China Palace Museum proved that Mahjong tile is what they used. There is time when playing Mahjong was prohibited in China. As a new way to look culture once again, it is very meaningful way to go with Japan Mahjong Museum.
Q: I heard that those Mahjong tiles were made of gold, silver, china and more than 40 different kind of material. There are not only Mahjong tiles, but also Mahjong tables, chairs and boxes. No doubt there are artistic achievements.
A: Mahjong tiles once were made by hands, especially those for Royal court. Plastic made Mahjong tiles are widely produces since 1960??s. It is very exciting to found ??real thing?? since then. Chinese put good saying on the Mahjong tiles and animals that will bring luck. European starting emphasis design of the Mahjong tile after Mahjong became popular around the world. On the other hand, Japanese are put more energy on rules of the Mahjong game.
Q: There seems a different design of bird on Mahjong tile, vary from regions to regions.
A: This bird was a emblem on Chinese imperial servants?? official uniforms. It shows different ranks of imperial servants. This emblem changed when it spread to Europe and America as a Mahjong tile symbol. It called ??Bamboo One?? in every country nowadays.
Q: We can compare different Mahjong cultures through this ??Bird One??.
------From , Spring 2007
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