The Habaki - Parts of a Japanese KatanaThe habaki is the metal piece that wraps around the base of the blade next to the tsuba. The habaki helps lock the tsuba in position, sometimes with the aid of seppa or spacers. The habaki also locks the blade into the saya (scabbard) holding it in place so the katana will not easily slide out. The first step in drawing a katana is by grasping the saya and applying pressure on the tsuba with your thumb to free the habaki from the saya called koiguchi no kirikata, at which point the blade can been drawn very quickly. This action could be considered an act of aggression by a samurai as it is putting your sword in a state of readiness much like drawing the hammer back on a revolver in the old west. The habaki will have normal wear as well as cause wear on the saya due to the wedging action which is why most are very simple in design. However, some of the elite katana makers treat the habaki like every other blade furnishing and form the habaki as a piece of art.Habaki PhotosThese are some photo's of several different Habaki found on the Japanese katana that we offer.Copper habaki and seppa. See more of the Modern Wakizashi - BohiSilver seppa and habaki on the Dragon King Winter Sun Katana. See more of the Winter Sun Samurai SwordThe Mukade Katana habaki which is etched in the Rain pattern. See more of the Mukade Ni KatanaThe choji hamon pattern whisps across the edge of the blade to the habaki which is etched in the Rain pattern. See more of the Mukade Ni KatanaThe silver habaki, menuki and seppa contrast against the black tsuka-ito and the white faux same (ray skin). See more of the Raimie XL KatanaThe habaki and seppa on the Hanwei Dragonfly Katana. See more of the Hanwei Dragonfly KatanaBrass habaki accents the silver seppa and fittings. See more of the Water Dragon Katanaseppa and habaki See more of the Ryujin KatanaTsuba design on the Cold Steel Warrior Nodachi with brass habaki. See more of the Warrior NodachiBeautiful habaki See more of the Wolf Katana Contrasted by the crimson tsuka-ito (handle wrap), the white same (ray skin) on the wood core handle, the notched seppa (spacers), silver habaki (blade collar) and the cherry blossom menuki (handle ornaments), represent the only vivid aspects of this sobering piece. See more of the Sakura KatanaThe 27” 1566 steel blade features a real hamon line with a copper habaki and seppa. The tsuka encapsulates the tang in textured G10 and dual pinned for a secure grip and is unremovable. See more of the Modern Katana