This is a hand made Japanese comb  from the mid Taisho Era (c. 1920) known as a kanzashi.  It was used to stylize women's hair, and was made of Japanese boxwood.  The style of ones hair designated their class in the Edo and Meiji eras.   It took time and wax to set and stylize the hair.  This type of comb was instrumental in setting and maintaining ones hair.   

A Japanese comb is about much more than just styling your hair.  Some 400 years ago, Japan took the simple comb and transformed it into an elegant beauty accessory that became a work of art.  Japanese kushi (combs) and kanzashi (hairpins) became expressions of a woman's character, social class, religion, and people could even tell what neighborhood someone lived in by looking at their hair ornaments.  According to an ancient Japanese proverb, "A woman's hair is her life" (Kami wa onna no inochi), and from the early 1600's until the beginning of the modern era, decorative combs and kanzashi have been an important part of Japanese fashion.  

There is a  signature mark on this comb,  (see picture  8).

This beautiful boxwood kanzashi measures 8 1/2 " long by 1 3/4" wide  (17.5x 4 cm).   It has been in storage for nearly a century and remains in excellent condition .  

You'll love it, I guarantee it.........If you purchase this item and are not completely delighted with it, you may return it for a complete, no questions asked, refund within 30 days  of receipt.