Scott McGerik’s Collections

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 12 ounce, glazed ceramic mug, produced by Dynasty Wholesale, depicts Hotei. On the bottom of the mug is “Made in China” and “DW123″. This mug has a hole in the belly for a straw and an opening in the back for adding beverage and ice.

Similar mugs in my collection include the Orchids of Hawaii R-95 Hotei mug and the Benihana Hotei mug.

Hotei is known variously as the god of abundance 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. He reportedly had a large belly and slept in the snow.

This 12 ounce, glazed ceramic mug depicts Hotei. On the bottom of the mug is “Japan” . This mug has a hole in the belly for a straw and an opening in the back for adding beverage and ice.

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

Hotei is known variously as the god of abundance 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. He reportedly had a large belly and slept in the snow.

This 12 ounce, glazed ceramic mug depicts Hotei. There is extensive crazing on this mug. This mug has the most detail of any Hotei mug in my collection.

On the bottom of the mug is “Japan”. This mug has a hole in the belly for a straw and an opening in the back for adding beverage and ice.

Similar mugs in my collection include the Orchids of Hawaii R-95 Hotei mug, the Dynasty Wholesale DW123 Hotei mug, the Benihana Hotei mug, and an unmarked Hotei mug.

Hotei is known variously as the god of abundance 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. He reportedly had a large belly and slept in the snow.

This vintage ceramic 12-ounce mug stands 7 1/2-inches tall. This mug is often referred to as the “Hotei” mug. 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. I aspire to be as happy and rotund as Hotei. Rubbing his stomach is said to bring good luck.

On the bottom is imprinted “Orchids of Hawaii”, “Japan”, and “R-95″.

Mugs similar to this in my collection are the Dynasty Wholesale DW123 Hotei mug and Benihana Hotei Mug.

These are matchbook covers from the Waikiki Room in the Hotel Nicollet which later became the Pick-Nicollet Hotel.

The Hotel Nicollet matchbook is relatively simple with “Waikiki Room”, “Hotel Nicollet”, and “Minneapolis” on one side and a drawing of a Tiki on the other. The Pick-Nicollet matchbook cover has “Jolly Miller Charcoal Broiler” on one side with the following on the other: “Pick-Nicollet an Albert Pick Hotel”, “Minneapolis, Minn FE 3-3177″, and “Exotic Waikiki Room” with a drawing of a Tiki and a Tiki bar.