Tiles That Unite is a photographic and storytelling project documenting mahjong players across all 50 states, highlighting how the game connects people, communities, and generations.
After learning several forms of mahjong, traveling to China with my daughter, and presenting a pop-up exhibition at a New York museum, I fell deeper in love with the game and the people who play it. Everywhere I went, I met individuals with remarkable stories, and I wanted to capture and share them. This book became a way to bring those voices together.
Mahjong brings people together across generations, cultures, and backgrounds. Wherever it is played, the tiles spark connection, conversation, and lasting friendships. Players often form lifelong bonds around the table, and communities grow through shared games, teaching, and tournaments. The book celebrates these connections and the people behind them, showing how the game has a unique ability to unite individuals from very different walks of life. That idea is what inspired the title, Tiles That Unite.
I called synagogues, churches, universities, clubs, and libraries. I also found players through word of mouth, personal networks, tournaments, teachers, and community groups. I chose people with a real love for the game across its many styles, and I made sure to include players from all fifty states to show how widely mahjong is played across the country.
The goal was for every page to feel like a small portrait of the player behind it. Each spread was approached as a visual story, combining imagery, pull quotes, and the player’s personal relationship to mahjong to let their personality come through. While every page is unique, care was taken to maintain visual harmony across the book so it reads as a cohesive whole rather than a collection of unrelated pages.
By the end of the project, I felt deeply connected to the players. I was also struck by how something as simple as a game can create such strong bonds across generations, cultures, and communities. I began by documenting a game, but along the way, I found myself drawn into people’s lives, their histories, their friendships, and the meaning mahjong holds for them. Through their stories and photographs, they began to feel like family.
"Even if you don’t play the game, these stories pull you into the lives of the players and their fascinating histories. A beautifully human portrait of community and culture."
"An intimate look at the people who play mahjong across all 50 states. These honest stories reveal the traditions, friendships, and vibrant communities that form around the game. It is a celebration of real people and the small moments that bring us together—a must-read for anyone who loves stories of human bonds and shared experiences."
"Stunning! This collection celebrates the beauty, style, and spirit of players across America. It’s inspiring to see how a game can create such deep human connections. A must-have for anyone who loves culture and visual storytelling."
"A fascinating blueprint of a global game. I expected a look at mechanics but found an astonishing study of strategy and community. Saltzman captures the massive scale and evolution of mahjong across the U.S. with a richness that makes you feel part of something larger. A powerful reminder of why we compete and how we connect."
"As someone born and raised in Canada by Korean immigrant parents, I’ve always been deeply aware of how culture, identity, and community are carried across borders and rebuilt in new places. Even when certain traditions aren’t passed down directly, the longing to understand where we come from, and the pride in seeing others honor their heritage remains powerful and universal. This work beautifully captures that experience, showing how mahjong has become a bridge for so many immigrants and their families in meaningful ways. Heartfelt and inspiring!"
“Tiles That Unite honors players of every background and the many versions of mahjong they play. From palm-tree-lined California to the skyscrapers of Manhattan, and communities across all 50 states, the book brings together voices as varied as ex-Marines, doctors, students, and homemakers. It beautifully shows how one game creates connection and community everywhere it’s played.”
Tiles That Unite: Portraits of Mahjong Players Across the U.S. is a striking portrait collection capturing the spirit of the mahjong community across all 50 states—featuring at least one player from every state. From the snow-capped landscapes of Alaska to the bustling streets of San Francisco and cozy living rooms in the Midwest, this book brings together 159 deeply personal stories of players united by one thing: the game they love.
Featuring a foreword by Annelise Heinz, author of Mahjong: A Chinese Game and the Making of Modern American Culture, and a prologue by historian and author Madeline Y. Hsu, the book is enriched by voices that place these stories within a broader cultural and historical context.
Through intimate portraits and personal storytelling, Tiles That Unite reveals how the game creates bonds between generations, bridges cultures, and builds lasting communities. Whether played in a Chinatown club, a college dorm, or around a family table, the rhythm of the tiles speaks a universal language.
Celebrating mahjong’s rich history while embracing its evolution in the United States—from American and Chinese styles to Riichi, Taiwanese rules, and Wright-Patterson—the book becomes a living legacy shaped by every player who has ever built a wall, claimed a tile, or passed down a treasured set.
Tiles That Unite is more than a celebration of a game—it is a love letter to the people who keep its spirit alive.
Experience mahjong like never before—order your copy and pull up a chair with players from across the country!
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