Scott McGerik’s Collections

Benihana is a chain of 100+ Japanese cuisine restaurants around the world. It was founded by Hiroaki Aoki in New York City (Benihana on Wikipedia).

This mug depicts a chef, possibly a teppanyaki chef, holding a knife and a two-tined fork. On this cap is the raised letter “B”. On the back, in raised lettering, is “Benihana”. There are no other markings on this mug. There is an opening in the back for adding a beverage.

This glazed ceramic mug depicts the likeness of Fukurokuju, the God of Wisdom and Longevity, one of Japan’s Seven Lucky Gods. He is often depicted as an old man with a long white beard and an unusually high forehead. In this depiction, he is wearing a robe and carrying a cane. You can see his feet peaking out from under the bottom of his robe.

There is hole in his beard for a straw and a larger hole on the back for adding a bevarege. On his back, in raised lettering, is “Benihana of Tokyo” and on the bottom, printed in ink, is “Japan”.

Similar mugs in my collection include the Dynasty Wholesale DW130 Jurojin mug.

This white ceramic mug from Benihana depicts Hotei. Hotei, one of Japan’s Seven Lucky Gods, is known variously as the God of Contentment and Happiness or the “laughing buddha”. He was an eccentric Zen priest of the late Tang dynasty in China who walked around collecting offerings with a huge bag. Rubbing his stomach is said to bring good luck. I aspire to be as happy and rotund as Hotei.

On the back, stamped in ink, is “Benihana”.

I have two Benihana Hotei mugs, this and another. These mugs look similar, however, this mug is smaller. Also, the belt is tied differently.

Similar mugs in my collections include the Orchids of Hawaii R-95 Hotei mug and the Dynasty Wholesale DW123 Hotei mug.

This white ceramic mug from Benihana depicts Hotei. Hotei, one of Japan’s Seven Lucky Gods, is known variously as the God of Contentment and Happiness or the “laughing buddha”. He was an eccentric Zen priest of the late Tang dynasty in China who walked around collecting offerings with a huge bag. Rubbing his stomach is said to bring good luck. I aspire to be as happy and rotund as Hotei.

On the back, stamped in ink, is “Benihana of Tokyo”. Inscribed on the bottom is “Japan”.

I have two Benihana Hotei mugs, this and another. These mugs look similar, however, this mug is larger. Also, the belt is tied differently.

Similar mugs in my collections include the Orchids of Hawaii R-95 Hotei mug and the Dynasty Wholesale DW123 Hotei mug.

This glazed ceramic mug is nearly 9-inches tall and depicts a Samurai sitting on a crate. The samurai is wearing full battle dress and is holding a sword in his left hand.

There is an opening in the back for adding beverage and a hole for a straw near the left hand. On the back is a plastic sticker that says “Benihana of Tokyo” and inscribed on the bottom is “Japan”.

This mug depicts Tanuki, the Japanese God of Restauranters. Tanuki is holding a bottle of sake in his left hand and a promissory note for the sake in the other. He has a big fat belly, large testicles, and is wearing a straw hat. Tanuki has the power of transformation which it uses to play tricks on people. It also loves sake, which is why it has a bottle of sake in one hand.

There is an small hole in front of this mug for a straw and a large hole in the back for adding a beverage. Printed in ink on the bottom of the mug is “Benihana of Tokyo” and inscribed on the bottom is “Japan”.

Similar items in my collections include an unmarked Tanuki Mug.