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.
See more of the Summer Lotus KatanaVery nicely fit habaki and seppa on the Kohaku katana See more of the Kohaku Katanahabaki on the yanone katana. See more of the Yanone KatanaImage showing the habaki as well as the forged blade of the war horse samurai sword. See more of the War Horse KatanaThe orchids brass habaki, seppa and underside of the tsuba See more of the Orchid KatanaThe habaki is made with brass like the seppa See more of the Damascus Hand Forged KatanaThe seppa and habaki are made from silver See more of the Hana KatanaLike the katana the ninjato has a habaki which helps hold it in the saya See more of the Practical Shinobi NinjatoThe brass habaki on the tanto See more of the Forged Samurai TantoThe habaki and seppa spacers are made from silver See more of the Lotus Seed KatanaBrass habaki of the Hanwei Bamboo Mat Katana. See more of the Bamboo Mat KatanaBrass habaki and seppa of the Lion Dog Katana. See more of the Lion Dog Katana