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The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal
6/23/2026
The original title is "Why a $1,000 Mahjong Set Takes 10 Days to Make | WSJ Coveted"

The original title is "Why a $1,000 Mahjong Set Takes 10 Days to Make | WSJ Coveted"

Original: Why a $1,000 Mahjong Set Takes 10 Days to Make | WSJ Coveted

Short summary

WSJ's 13-minute documentary reveals how Hong Kong's master craftspeople hand-carve mahjong tile sets over 10 days, commanding $1,000+ despite cheaper mass-produced alternatives. As the US mahjong resurgence drives demand, the film explores tension between traditional artisanal methods and modern manufacturing, following efforts to preserve a dying trade.

  • Hong Kong's last masters hand-carve mahjong tiles; each set requires 10 days of labor
  • US mahjong boom drives demand but threatens artisanal tradition via mass-produced competition
  • Documentary profiles preservation efforts as the craft faces decline

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