Guide rollers are provided to be symmetric with respect to a center of the thermal head. The guide rollers comprise first two guide rollers provided in a vicinity of the thermal head, a guide roller provided in a vicinity of the supply core, a guide roller provided in a vicinity of the take-up core, and second two guide rollers. The second two guide rollers are disposed nearly in a vicinity of the first two guide rollers. The back tension force adding members comprise a fixed brake adding member provided at the supply shaft and an outer peripheral brake adding member for contacting the ink ribbon. The ink ribbon shifting down phenomenon can be prevented. The dirty background and the rubbing transfer phenomenon can be reduced. The aligned winding of the ink ribbon make possible a practical reciprocating ink ribbon cassette. without concern about ink ribbon winding accidents.