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I would like to know what this piece of ivory is, what the writing on the back means and what this would be used for. Any ideas on age?

It is a netsuke. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/netsuke

It is most probably new and most likely made in China for tourists from illegally poached elephant ivory.

The writing on the back is supposed to be a signature of the maker. It may or may not be real.

Dear Beth, It is a japanese netsuke.Sorry I can't tell you more.
Best regards,
Rémy

Google - Netsuke, himotoshi, okame, Koomote, and maybe Noh masks.

Geo has it correctly as Koomote. It's not Okame.

Japanese samurai robes had no pockets. They carried money, tobacco, etc. in a case with two or more compartments. This was attached by a cord, running through a bead called an ojime and under a sash, called an obi. The cord finished through two holes in a netsuke called himotosi. The netsuki kept the cord from falling back through the obi. Your netsuki is a representation of a Noh theater mask, possibly Okame, goddess of mirth, but it may be someone else. The red kanji is a signature, usually difficult to identify, your best chance being through the International Netsuke Society. I've added a photo of a complete rig. regards, Jim

It's a netsuke. I keeps a Japanese gentleman's inro secured to his obi so it doesn't hit the floor.

Cheers,
Stan

it's a noh play mask netsuke of a female character (female mask or 'onna-men'), signed 'Yoshikawa'. I don't know exactly which character this is.

Guy.

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