Antique Japanese Hera Fabric Oxbone Tool Scrolling Creasing Marking Sewing 4.5”

This is a special Japanese knife used for marking a basting line while sewing. It dates to the late Edo or Meiji ear (c. 1800's to early 1900's). It is made of very durable oxbone. It has a hole in one end for attaching a string. 

It has been well used yet well loved and has a well aged patina, and remains in very fine condition. Overall it measures 4.5" long (12 cm)