History
During the 2015 NYC Open, a group of players from across North America sat and talked about our different groups from all over the region. There were enough of us to realize that we should be working together to help each other out. From that discussion came an idea about bringing us together and the idea of an organization came into being. That organization would eventually become the North American Riichi Mahjong Association, or NARMA for short.
After Canada split off to form the Canadian Council in 2019, NARMA became an organization focused solely on American riichi mahjong. With this new targeted purpose, NARMA held a community poll and in April 2024 changed names to the American Riichi Association, or ARA.
Mission Statement
To foster cooperation, share valuable resources, and to establish visibility and legitimacy for the American Riichi Mahjong community.
To foster cooperation in an individual and club level within North America.
To provide, exchange, and collaborate in the distribution and production of resources that are valuable to our community.
To increase visibility and establish legitimacy for the North American Riichi Mahjong community.
Core Values
We will look to achieve our mission statement by adhering to our core values of accessibility, transparency and the respect for autonomy.
Vision Statement
Encourage club tournament standardization
Host accessible tournaments
Establish a comprehensive repository of relevant knowledge and tools.
Foster relationships with international communities and groups.
I began playing mahjong in college in the mid-90's, and then once I graduated I thought I would never play again. Ten years later, I chanced upon a meeting of Rochester NY's fledgling RIT Nine Gates Mahjong Club and have been playing ever since. I run the mahjong information and strategy site Reach Mahjong of New York (mahjong-ny.com), as well as organize and judge at events across the country, from the Rochester Riichi Open to the NAO to the WRC. I hope to work towards growing a friendly, fair, and open mahjong club and tournament network across North America.