Where did mahjong originate?

The best evidence points to the Ningbo and Shanghai region of China in the 1800s.

Did Confucius invent mahjong?

No. That is a popular legend with no evidence behind it.

What is printed on this premium crewneck sweatshirt?

The Sparrow Tile tile, in our original engraved art.

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Heritage Mah Jongg Premium Crewneck Sweatshirt - The Sparrow Tile

$52.00 USD

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Who invented mahjong? Nobody can prove it. Ningbo has the strongest evidence as a place, while its famous inventor remains a good story.

A crewneck for the person who prefers the footnote to the legend. The carved bird sits on a warm, comfortable sweatshirt, a good choice for the history reader in your game or anyone who has heard the Confucius story once too often.

A 1902 text says the game began in Ningbo about twenty years earlier, and a 1914 guide also names the city. A set collected around the 1870s was labeled Bamboo Cards of Ningbo. The clan hall of Chen Yumen is now a mahjong exhibition hall there, inside the Tianyi Ge complex.

Chen lived from about 1817 to 1878, but the only early credit to him is a 1925 article, some fifty years after his death. Papers tying the game to him are probably forged. Confucius, of course, had nothing to do with it. The takeaway: Ningbo's case is better than Chen's. A place can outlast a legend.

A premium sweatshirt of 80 percent ring-spun cotton and 20 percent polyester, shifting a little on some colors, with ribbing at neck, wrists and hem. The label tears out. Turn inside out, wash in cold water, and tumble dry low. No bleach, no softener, and no dry cleaning.

	S	M	L	XL	2XL
Width, in	20.47	22.05	23.62	25.20	26.77
Length, in	26.77	27.95	29.13	30.31	31.50
Sleeve length, in	25.59	26.18	26.77	27.36	27.95

QUICK FACTS — MAH JONGG PREMIUM CREWNECK SWEATSHIRT — THE SPARROW TILE

Series: Heritage Mah Jongg, from The Mah Jongg Collection

Design: The Sparrow Tile — the One Bamboo sparrow tile, drawn in the engraved style of an old set, printed artwork

Blank: premium crewneck, 80% ring-spun cotton / 20% polyester (varies slightly by color), ribbed collar, cuffs and hem, tear-away label

Care: wash cold inside out, no bleach or softener, tumble dry low, no dry cleaning

Colors: 7 offered

Sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL

Made to order in the USA

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Product FAQs

How does your sizing work?

Every item is made to order, so please check the size chart on this page before you buy. Women's fitted tees run small; size up for a looser fit. Caps are one size with an adjustable strap.

How are items made and when will they arrive?

We make each item to order using premium blanks, embroidery and soft-hand prints. Production takes 2-5 business days (weekends and holidays excluded), then 4-10 days in transit via USPS, UPS or FedEx to U.S. addresses; most orders arrive within 6-15 business days. You'll get a tracking link the moment it ships. Any current shipping offer is shown in the bar at the top of every page and applies automatically at checkout, no code needed.

How do I send a gift?

Enter the recipient's address as the shipping address and your own as the billing address at checkout. Nothing ships with a price; the package includes a plain packing slip. Tracking goes to your email, not theirs. For birthdays and holidays, order two weeks ahead to be safe.

What's the return policy?

Made-to-order items can't be returned or exchanged for size or color, so please use the size chart and photos before ordering. If anything arrives defective, misprinted or damaged, send a photo and your order number within 30 days and we'll replace it or refund you.

How do I care for my item?

Apparel: wash cold, inside out, with like colors; no bleach; tumble dry low or hang dry. Embroidered pieces: iron inside out to protect the stitching. Caps: spot clean. Printed glasses and water bottles: hand wash only, no dishwasher, so the artwork lasts. Mugs and engraved glasses are dishwasher safe. Any item-specific care notes are in the description above.

Who makes this?

Merlin Classics is a small Connecticut brand making original retro designs for the towns people love. Every piece is printed, embroidered or engraved to order in the USA, and the business supports hunger relief in the communities our collections celebrate.