This craftsman, Osawa Inaba, had a family name of Tachibana and actual name was Masataka. He was from the Matsumoto, Shinano Province. He became a student of the Ito Tradition in Edo and also studied in Kyoto. The theme of this Tsuba is Chrysanthemums and Greek Key Design. The Greek Key Design depicts lightning that was considered a mysterious and threatening natural phenomenon. This design was often used as a talisman. This Tsuba also depicts an elegant large Chrysanthemum using the Usuniku-bori Technique made from well-forged iron. This Tsuba has passed the Tokubetsu Hozon Tosogu in 2019. It has been referred to in the Tsuba-Shusei, written by Nakamura Tesei in 1963.

Design Chrysanthemums and Greek Key Design
Mei Engraved by Osawa Inaba
Material Iron
Shape Hakkaku, Okutagon
Region Shinano Province
Era Late Edo Period
Box Tailor-made paulownia box
Size
Height 8.5 cm (3.4 in)
Width 7.8 cm (3.1 in)
Thickness 0.4 cm (0.2 in)
NBTHK Certification
Status Tokubetsu Hozon Tosogu
Certification Date May 28, 2019