The Habaki - Parts of a Japanese Katana
![](https://cdn.reliks.com/images/kanji/habaki.jpg)
The 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 Photos
These are some photo's of several different Habaki found on the Japanese katana that we offer.
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 Katana
The 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
The 1566 forged steel blade features a real hamon line with a beautiful copper habaki and seppa.
See more of the Modern Katana
The power and strength of this katana is belied by its simple beauty of humble, blackened textured handle furniture to the silver menuki.
See more of the Armourer's Katana
Brass Ferrule or habaki on the Raptor Katana.
See more of the Raptor Nanbokucho Zukuri Katana
Brass habaki of the Raptor Wakizashi by Hanwei.
See more of the Raptor Wakizashi
Brass habaki and seppa on the Samurai Warrior Katana.
See more of the Purple Samurai Warrior Katana
The habaki is a one-piece brass construction.
See more of the Kaeru (Frog) Wakizashi
The tsuba is expertly cast in stainless steel and patina like blackened iron with brass seppa and habaki.
See more of the Kaeru (Frog) Wakizashi
This beginners sword boasts upgraded fittings over our other starter swords with more attention put to weight and balance.
See more of the Samurai Warrior Katana
Cleverly concealed, the choji hamon pattern whisps across the 5" T10 blade to the silver habaki.
See more of the Frenchie Jin Bamboo Tanto
The blade is solid, with no bo-hi or fuller to provide a slightly higher weight and forward balance.
See more of the Lotus Citadel Katana