1. Otagiri Mercantile Company (also: OMC, Otagiri Manufacturing Company)

A Japanese manufacturer of tiki-themed ceramics.

The Otagiri Mercantile Company (OMC) was a major producer of tiki mugs, bowls, and other ceramic items. It is sometimes incorrectly called 'Otagiri Manufacturing Company'.

Otagiri was an $18 Million wholesale manufacturing company that produced tiki-themed ceramics for commercial establishments (tiki bars and restaurants). Otagiri also manufactured ceramics that were sold through retail outlets. Otagiri began producing tiki-themed items starting in at least the 1960s, and was responsible for many well known patterns.

Most Otagiri ceramics were identified with a stylized yellow and gold sticker printed with the initials 'OMC' and 'Japan'. Although Otagiri is closely associated with Tiki products, the company produced a wide range of ceramics and dishware. Otagiri items are eagerly sought by tiki mug collectors.

Otagiri was a Japanese company with its American headquarters located in San Francisco. OMC was restructured in the early 1990s by its CEO, Thomas Wong, and then sold to the Enesco Group in September 1994.

Enesco has discontinued the OMC brand.


Updated July 14, 2004