I bought this at the Beijing Friendship Store about 30 years ago when I traveled to China. I never used it, wondering what to put in it, but I have washed it. Please feel free to use it as you like. It's an old item, and it doesn't have the smoothness or delicacy of Japanese pottery, but it has a unique charm. The roughness of the texture and small holes are present from the beginning. Please only purchase if you understand these aspects.