Inaba Ittetsu

Inaba Ittetsu (1515-1589) was the foremost of the Three Men of Western Mino (alongside Ujike Bokuzen and Andō Morinari), renowned Sengoku warriors of Mino Province. Originally serving Saitō Dōsan and Yoshiryū, he later submitted to Oda Nobunaga. Said to be the origin of the word 'ittetsu' (single-minded stubbornness), he was known for his rigid, principled character and served across the Oda and Toyotomi regimes as a long-lived elder warrior. He favored practical blades forged by Mino smiths, and was reputed to have a discerning eye for swords rooted in long years of actual combat. Remaining active into old age, his way of life was passed down to later generations of swordsmen and warriors as 'the path of ittetsu.' He holds an important place in sword history for his deep connection with the Mino blade tradition.