Most often referred to as "the little guy with the hammer," or sometimes, because of the sack he carries on his back, "Santa Claus," this is, in fact, Daikoku, who is yet another of the famed Seven Lucky Gods (Shichifukujin) who have been immortalized as Benihana Tiki Mugs.
Images of Daikoku are found in the temples of Tibet and China, and he enjoys an exalted position as a household deity in Japan, where Daikoku is variously considered to be the god of wealth, or of the household, particularly the kitchen.
Daikoku's association with wealth and prosperity gave rise to an odd Japanese custom known as Fuku-nusubi, where folks believe that he who steals divine figurines of gods and goddesses, is assured of good fortune, but only if not caught in the act of stealing! Which is kind of like how some folks treatgarden gnomes here in the U.S.A., when you think about it.
There are a few variations of the Daikoku mug available: he's often seen sitting (or standing) on two bales of rice, and is frequently found covered in a dark-brown glaze, too!
Images of Daikoku are found in the temples of Tibet and China, and he enjoys an exalted position as a household deity in Japan, where Daikoku is variously considered to be the god of wealth, or of the household, particularly the kitchen.
Daikoku's association with wealth and prosperity gave rise to an odd Japanese custom known as Fuku-nusubi, where folks believe that he who steals divine figurines of gods and goddesses, is assured of good fortune, but only if not caught in the act of stealing! Which is kind of like how some folks treat
There are a few variations of the Daikoku mug available: he's often seen sitting (or standing) on two bales of rice, and is frequently found covered in a dark-brown glaze, too!
