The Field Guide
Japanese Riichi Set
Not sure this is your set? Answer 5 quick questions about your tiles and case and we will match it for you.
Japanese riichi set
mostly modern production
A set for riichi, the Japanese form of the game: noticeably smaller tiles, usually with red five tiles in the box. Retail sets ship 144 tiles; riichi play uses 136 with the flowers set aside, and there are no jokers.
Quick tells
- Tiles clearly smaller than American or Chinese club tiles
- Red number 5 tiles (aka dora) in the box
- No joker tiles anywhere
- Often a dark case with scoring sticks and a dealer marker
Confirm it with a test
- Measure a tile. Riichi tiles typically stand about an inch tall, visibly smaller side by side with an American tile. Size plus red fives is the practical tell; the engraving otherwise matches Chinese sets.
If you are thinking of selling
- Riichi players buy by feel and brand; list the tile size in millimeters and photograph the red fives
- These are not American-game sets: 136-tile play, no jokers, so market it to riichi players, not mah jongg groups
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, riichi.wiki
Common questions
How much is a Japanese riichi set worth?
We have not published a sold-price range for this type yet: it is specialist territory where condition and provenance swing value too much for a general range to be honest. Email photos to editor@mahjongalmanac.com and we will tell you what we can see.
How do I know if I have a Japanese riichi set?
Quick tells: Tiles clearly smaller than American or Chinese club tiles; Red number 5 tiles (aka dora) in the box; No joker tiles anywhere; Often a dark case with scoring sticks and a dealer marker. Confirm with a physical test before relying on a visual match alone: measure a tile (Riichi tiles typically stand about an inch tall, visibly smaller side by side with an American tile.).
Keeping the set and want to play with it? Start with how American mah jongg works and check whether your set has the eight jokers the game needs. Ready to sit down at a real table? Find a game near you. Looking at today's sets instead? Browse the catalog.