Aryamen (Head + Ryanmen Shape) - Flexible Hand Building

What is Aryamen?

Aryamen is a hand-building term referring to a shape where the head (pair) and ryanmen (two-sided wait) are connected. For example, “55567” has a pair (55) connected to a sequence candidate (567). The name combines “Atama” (head) and “Ryanmen.”

This shape has wide tile acceptance and allows flexible responses depending on what you draw - fixing the head or forming sequences.

Basic Aryamen Shapes

Shape Structure Example

For 55567p:

55567 pinzu

[Pattern 1] Fix as head
555 (head) + 67 (ryanmen)
→ Waiting on 5 and 8

[Pattern 2] Make sequence
567 (sequence) + 55 (pair)
→ Pair remains

[Pattern 3] Make triplet
555 (triplet) + 67 (ryanmen)
→ Toitoi direction

Tile Acceptance

For 55567p:

[Draw 5p]
→ 555 fixed as head + 67 (ryanmen)
→ Wait: 5-8p

[Draw 4p]
→ 567 (sequence) + 55 (pair) + 4p
→ 4p becomes float

[Draw 7p]
→ 555 (head) + 677 (shape changes)
→ Form transforms

[Draw 8p]
→ 567 (sequence) + 55 (pair) + 8p
→ Good shape evolution

Aryamen Variations

Terminal Aryamen

11123 case:

11123m
- 111 (head) + 23 (ryanmen)
- Wait: 1 and 4m
- 2 could become penchan

77789 case:

77789m
- 777 (head) + 89 (ryanmen)
- Wait: 7 and 8m (8 is penchan)
- Slightly less efficient

Middle Tile Aryamen (Best)

44456p
- 444 (head) + 56 (ryanmen)
- Wait: 4, 5, 7p
- Wide acceptance

Strategic Handling

Early Game

• Keep aryamen intact
• Build other melds first
• Maintain flexibility
• Don’t rush to fix

Mid Game

• Fix if near tenpai
• Choose head or sequence
• Consider yaku
• Efficiency priority

Late Game

• Fix for winning priority
• Head if pair needed
• Sequence if meld needed
• Situation dependent

Aryamen Value

Advantages

1. Wide acceptance

   • Multiple useful tiles
   • Easier tenpai

2. High flexibility

   • Can become head or sequence
   • Adapts to situation

3. Good efficiency

   • High tile efficiency
   • Easy hand building

Disadvantages

• Timing to fix is tricky
• Value drops with many pairs
• Early fixing loses flexibility

Common Mistakes

1. Shape recognition

   • Pair and ryanmen must connect
   • Separated = not aryamen

2. Acceptance calculation

   • Don’t count used tiles
   • Consider field situation

3. Fixing timing

   • Too early = lose flexibility
   • Too late = miss chance

4. Yaku relationship

   • For pinfu: make head from honors
   • For toitoi: prioritize triplet

Related Terms

• Jantou: Head/pair
• Ryanmen: Two-sided wait
• Toitsu: Pair (2 identical)
• Taatsu: Incomplete meld
• Hai-koritsu: Tile efficiency

Summary

Aryamen is a compound shape where a pair (head) connects with a ryanmen (two-sided wait), like 55567. With wide tile acceptance, you can flexibly respond to draws - fixing the head or forming sequences. Beginners should recognize “connected pair + ryanmen = aryamen” and avoid rushing to fix it. Watch the situation, and when close to tenpai, decide between head or sequence for efficient wins.