Tanuki
Manufacturer: Orchids of Hawaii
Designer: unknown
Tanuki
Manufacturer: unknown
Designer: unknown
Daikoku
Manufacturer: Benihana
Designer: unknown
Daikoku is one of the seven gods of fortune. He is described as the god of the kitchen, the household, or sometimes as the god of the farmer. He is portrayed with a golden mallet which is a magic money mallet.
Tanuki
Manufacturer: Benihana
Designer: unknown
Tanuki is the Japanese word for the Japanese raccoon dog. Tanuki are portrayed as mischievous and jolly. Legend says they are masters of shapeshifting. They are portrayed with a bottle of sake in one hand and an empty purse or promissory note in the other. They also are shown to have large testicles which often drag on the ground. They are rumored to have cheated tavern owners by paying for drinks with leaves disguised as money.
Neko Cat
Manufacturer: unknown
Designer: unknown
The Maneki Neko or "Beckoning Cat" is believed to bring good luck. The Neko Cat is also known as the welcoming cat, the lucky cat, or money cat. One paw is raised in a beckoning or welcoming gesture.
On this particular mug the straw hole is in the paw.
mugs - orientalia and benihana
Khan Tiki Mon's collection of mugs with an oriental style including Benihana mugs.
Bride
Manufacturer: unknown
Designer: unknown
Hotei Teapot
Manufacturer: Benihana
Designer: unknown
Groom
Manufacturer: unknown
Designer: unknown
Full Body Chef
Manufacturer: Benihana
Designer: unknown
Kendo
Manufacturer: Benihana
Designer: unknown
Samurai
Manufacturer: Orchids of Hawaii
Designer: unknown
Variation: straw hole in front.
Sumo Wrestler
Manufacturer: Orchids of Hawaii
Designer: unknown
Samurai
Manufacturer: Orchids of Hawaii
Designer: unknown
Variation: straw hole in shoulder.
Parosol Girl
Manufacturer: Orchids of Hawaii
Designer: unknown
In addition to standard straw hole this mug has a hole for a paper umbrella.
Ninja. The ninja was a covert agent in Feudal Japan. They specialized in unconventional and underhanded acts of war. They were involved in espionage, infiltration, and assassination. The samurai with their reputable images were a direct contrast to the ninja.
Geisha
Manufacturer: Orchids of Hawaii
Designer: unknown
Geisha
Manufacturer: Benihana
Designer: unknown
Jurojin
Manufacturer: Benihana
Designer: unknown
Fukurokuju
Manufacturer: Benihana
Designer: unknown
Fukurokuju is one of the seven gods of fortune. He is the god of wealth and happiness. Fukurokujo is often confused with Jurojin. Jurojin, by some accounts, is the grandson of Fukurokuju. Other accounts have them inhabiting the same body.
Canoe Girl or Rural Girl
Manufacturer: Benihana
Designer: unknown
Chef
Manufacturer: Benihana
Designer: unknown
Mayan
Manufacturer: unknown
Designer: unknown
Sumo Wrestler
Manufacturer: unknown
Designer: unknown
There are no markings at all on this piece.
Samurai
Manufacturer: Benihana
Designer: unknown
Kumamoto
Manufacturer: unknown
Designer: unknown
Daimyo
Manufacturer: unknown
Designer: unknown
Ninja
Manufacturer: Benihana
Designer: unknown
Happy Hotei
Manufacturer: Orchids of Hawaii
Designer: unknown
The Hotei is one of the seven gods of fortune. He is the god of abundance and health. The Chinese have nicknamed him the "Laughing Buddha" while westerners refer to him as the ‘fat’ Buddha. He is almost always depicted as smiling or laughing. He carries all his possessions in a cloth sack and is poor but happy.
Daruma
Manufacturer: Benihana
Designer: unknown
Standing Buddha with Medicine Jar
Manufacturer: Benihana
Designer: unknown
Back is marked Benihana of Tokyo.
Buddha
Manufacturer: unknown
Designer: unknown
Mug is marked Royal Hawaiian.
Jurojin
Manufacturer: Orchids of Hawaii
Designer: unknown
Jurojin is one of the seven gods of fortune. He is depicted as an old man with a long white beard and a tall bald head. He is a symbol of longevity.
Canoe Boy or Rural Boy
Manufacturer: Benihana
Dseigner: unknown
Tanuki
Manufacturer: unknown
Designer: unknown
Siddhartha Guatama
Manufacturer: Benihana
Designer: unknown
Siddhartha Gautama. Siddhartha Gautama was a spiritual teacher in India and is considered to have founded Buddhism. He is considered the Supreme Buddha.