Over the years I have collected many Asian items that struck my fancy, from pottery to fabrics, statues to lacquerware, but what I know about water droppers fit into a thimble.... I understand the little hole on top combined with finger pressure controls the flow of the water coming out of the little spout which then is used to thin out calligraphy ink or crayons. these vessels were used in all Asian countries - like Korea, Japan and China - I assume this one is Japanese, because that is what I was told and I don't know any better.