This item has been stored at home for a long time. It is being sold due to a warehouse clean-out. I don't know its usage history, as it's been around for a while. When I first saw it, I thought it was an eggplant, but it has a cherry blossom motif attached, making me want to ask the maker about it. Upon closer inspection, what I thought was the eggplant stem might actually be cherry blossom petals? It's a slightly quirky and endearing tea scoop that makes you feel attached to it. If you are interested, please consider this item. Due to long-term home storage, please consider that there may be scratches and stains from storage.