Shin’s Eye #2 – Manners
Hello.
I am Shintaro Kamimura from the Japan Professional Mahjong League.
Last time we discussed “squeezing”. This time I’d like to talk about “manners”.
It is very natural for different cultures to have different manners and morals. So, of course I don’t know if other countries will be able to accept certain manners and morals that are normal in Japan. However, because all of you are playing “Japanese Reach Mahjong” and I think it is important to know and understand these manners and values that are practice in Japan. If you happen to come to Japan in the near future and have a chance to play Mahjong, it would be great if you can practice these manners and show the other players at your table that you understand the game.
At one time in Japan, Mahjong only had one level and that was gambling. However, in recent years the image of Mahjong as an intellectual and competitive game was born, professionals were created and many people started to present it as a gentleman’s intellectual game. Of course this thinking has not caught on with everyone in the country. Like poker, some people think, “There are professional players, but it is still based on gambling.” It will take a lot more time before it is considered on the same level as chess.
At one time the manners and morals in Mahjong were horrible.
That’s because at that time the rates were high, the tiles were hand-shuffled, which encouraged cheating and most games included either mafia or other shady characters (now all Mahjong in Japan is played on automatic-shuffling tables). However, lately the game has become more like a competitive sport and even your average Joe can be found playing casino-style mahjong at parlors from university students to people the same ages as your grandfather. Also, there are a number of places that offer lower rates for play. Thanks to all that the manners/morals have changed into something that allows everyone to play and have fun at the game together.
I’ve rambled on a bit, so let’s get to some specifics.
First off, in Japan we have a saying: Start with a bow and end with a bow.
The “bow” means, “Show your opponent that you will respect them.”
This is an easy concept to grasp if you watch Japanese sports such as Judo, Kendo and Karate. Before the competition starts each players shows respect by lowering their head in a bow. After the match, no matter if they won or lost, they show respect again by bowing to each other.
Mahjong is the same.
Before each game everyone gives a bow of the head and says, “Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu.” (This is a common Japanese greeting. In this case it can mean, “Let’s have a good game”)
After each game we say, “Thank you,” and bow again. No matter what the results of the game were, we acknowledge and respect that each player put forth their best effort and fought. If a player criticizes his opponents because he won or throws a fit because he lost, the player’s character will definitely be questioned.
Please do not ever forget to play this game as a highly intellectual gentleman’s game.
In my next column I would like to talk more specifically about manners.
If the culture is different, everything will be different. I would like you to read these with the idea of comparing cultures so that someday you can come to Japan and play Mahjong comfortably.
To be continued…
