Jihai (Honor Tiles) - East, South, West, North, White, Green, Red

What is Jihai?

Jihai (honor tiles) refers to the 7 types of special tiles: East, South, West, North (winds) and White, Green, Red (dragons). Unlike number tiles, they have no numbers - 4 of each type, totaling 28 tiles.

They can’t form sequences, but triplets can become yakuhai for 1 han, giving them unique strategic importance.

Types of Jihai

Characteristics

Honor tile basics:
1. Cannot form sequences
   - No consecutive property
   - Triplets or pairs only

2. Often become yakuhai
   - Dragons always yakuhai
   - Winds are conditional

3. Relatively safe to discard
   - Early game fairly safe
   - Live tiles need caution

Jihai vs Number Tiles

Strategic Value

Early Game Handling

Starting hand decisions:
1. Cut guest winds first
   - Not yakuhai
   - Least useful

2. Process isolated honors
   - Won't become pairs
   - Cut early

3. Keep yakuhai
   - Dragons priority
   - Round/seat winds too

Value Priority

Yakuhai Conditions

Yakuhai requirements:
1. Dragons (White, Green, Red)
   - Always yakuhai
   - Anyone gets 1 han

2. Round wind
   - East in East round
   - South in South round

3. Seat wind
   - East for East seat
   - South for South seat
   - West for West seat
   - North for North seat

Related Yaku

Defensive Value

Safety Assessment

Honor tile safety:
1. Early game (turns 1-6)
   - Relatively safe
   - Especially guest winds

2. Mid-game (turns 7-12)
   - Check discards
   - Live tiles dangerous

3. Late game (turn 13+)
   - Very dangerous
   - Must check genbutsu

Reading Discards

Calling Decisions

When to Call

Call criteria:
1. Yakuhai confirmed
   - Secures 1 han
   - Fast win possible

2. Slow hand
   - Prioritize tenpai
   - Defensive choice

3. Have dora
   - 2+ han confirmed
   - Call actively

When Not to Call

Special Uses

Blocking (Shibori)

Disrupting opponents:
- Don't discard yakuhai
- Hold until 4th tile
- Read opponent hands
- Block Daisangen/Shousangen

Common Mistakes

1. Wrong pronunciation

   • West is “Sha” (not “nishi”)
   • North is “Pei” (not “kita”)
   • Red is “Chun” (not “naka”)

2. Sequence confusion

   • East-South-West isn’t a sequence
   • White-Green-Red isn’t a sequence
   • Triplets only

3. Yakuhai conditions

   • Dragons always yakuhai
   • Only round/seat winds are yakuhai
   • Guest winds aren’t yakuhai

4. Overestimating safety

   • Live tiles are dangerous
   • Late game honors risky
   • Yakuhai often targeted

Related Terms

• Kazehai: Wind tiles (E/S/W/N)
• Sangenpai: Dragon tiles
• Yakuhai: Honor triplet yaku
• Suupai: Number tiles (1-9)
• Otakaze: Non-yakuhai winds
• Yaochuuhai: Terminals + honors

Summary

Jihai consists of 4 wind tiles and 3 dragon tiles - 7 types of special tiles. While they can’t form sequences, triplets become valuable yakuhai. Dragons are always yakuhai; winds depend on round/seat position.

Beginners should learn the correct readings, understand that dragons are always yakuhai while winds are conditional. Early game they’re relatively safe, but late game they become dangerous. Mastering honor tiles greatly expands your strategic options.