He is hunched over, brows furrowed in concentration. 

 

With a knife, his weathered hands etch deep, resolute strokes on the mahjong tile. 

 

He flicks away the scrapings. Bathing the tile in light, he reveals a mesh of bold, intricate strokes. It is the ‘fa’ (fortune) tile.

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Master Ricky Cheung, who is in his 70s, is one of four remaining mahjong tile hand-carvers in Hong Kong. 

 

The artisan is a picture of tranquillity as he demonstrates his craft, surrounded by coloured tiles, hand-made drills and containers of vivid pigment.

 

I am attending a mahjong tile colouring workshop at Karen Aruba, eponymously named after Master Ricky’s daughter, a professional illustrator. 

 

The workshop is part of a press trip hosted by the Hong Kong Tourism Board for travel journalists to discover less-known experiences in the city. 

 

Hong Kong, traditionally renowned for its shopping, dining and nightlife, is striving to regain travellers’ mindshare, following years of disruptions from Covid-19 and pre-pandemic social unrest...

 

Please click HERE to read the story on The Straits Times’ website.