Edo period (18th century)

The cord-wrapped tachi was devised for use by mounted samurai, the wrapping on the scabbard preventing damage to the lacquered scabbards due to violent movement on horseback, and the tachi became formal wear for high-ranking samurai during the Edo period. Since ancient times the paulownia mon has been associated with the Imperial Family, but during the civil wars of the 16th century the Ashikaga, Oda, and Toyotomi families adopted the mon, which came to be used by their allies and Buddhist temples under their auspices. The use of variations of the Imperial Chrysanthemum also spread among temples and related samurai clans. The present tachi doubtless belonged to a high ranking samurai clan whose use of the mon implies a relationship with the Imperial Family.