Vintage Mug Monday │ A Small History of the Otagiri Mercantile Company

Otagiri mugs are among my favorite vintage mugs. They began production in the late '60s, ended in the early '90s, and now, there are hundreds of designs out there to choose from. But, I'm not the only one who thinks they're amazing. Many people collect them and there's a huge, almost cult-like, following behind them. 

While they are vastly popular, varying in designs from teddy bears to nautical scenes to flowers, for me, it's the quality that takes my breath away. They were designed to look like pottery pieces - as if they were created from clay and thrown into a kiln to cook. I've been collecting them for the better part of almost 15 years before it was a trendy thing.

Modern-day mugs look and feel nothing like their vintage counterparts, and it's not just because of materials - it's because Otagiri chose to create a quality product. Meaning, that their creations would outlast most of its competitors.

There isn't a whole lot of information about Otagiri, or the Otagiri Mercantile Company (OMC). They were a San Francisco company, importing from Japan where the products were made (which explains why I find it quite regularly here in the Sacramento Valley), and were in production for 46 years. Enesco bought them out in 1994, which is when the line essentially died out.

This beautiful Otagiri mug appeared to me last week. It is unused and still with its original Otagiri stickers (two of them!) While I can't date this specifically, I do know it was made before 1994, and per the design, probably no later than the late '80s as they seemed to transfer from an etched design to a painted-on or screen-painted design as the collection aged. (I prefer the etched.)

I've never seen this pattern or design before, even the color is unique. I'm thrilled to offer it in my shop.

I do have a mug collection. About 32 mugs (that you can see here.) I rotate through them all month, trying to use a different one every day. Sometimes, I'll find a new one I have to have, and add it into the mug party that is in my cupboard. 

Then I'll find one I own that I don't like as much as I thought I did, and take it out to sell in my Etsy shop (I've sold hundreds of mugs in my shop - 396 to be exact.) I cycle through them, but I almost always have about 32 mugs in my cupboard and no more than that (since I don't have room!) 

Though many of my mugs are unmarked, probably more than half of them are Otagiri. The quality and craftsmanship can't be beat. I also happen to love the size of them. Today's standard coffee cup is large - as in, 12 to 16 ounces large. 

Here's one of my favorites that I found for .50 cents a few years ago. 

Contrary to the very American and popular belief, larger isn't always better. And when it comes to drinking coffee before it gets cold, large mugs are virtually impossible to work with. These Otagiri vintage mugs are almost always eight ounces or smaller. There are a few larger styles, but even then, they were no larger than 12 ounces.

Otagiri mugs are fun, beautiful, and diverse. In most cases, they are an extremely inexpensive collection to acquire (I spend anywhere from 50 cents up to three dollars. It varies from thrift shop to estate sale.) This cost-effective collection is also utilitarian. I use mine every day.

You can't beat a collection you use! It's a win/win in my vintage book.

As a side note, I sell more mugs during the holiday season than at any other time during the year. They make such a great gift and are inexpensive. If you're looking for a unique gift, check out my site for a variety of fun mugs (a good chunk of them being Otagiri, of course.)

Happy Mug Monday. May your mug be vintage and your coffee hot.