How are Habaki made?
Most of the habaki is formed by forging, the final adjustments by filing, and the joining of the two parts by soldering or brazing. Once the habaki is fit, the blade is ready for a handle and the accompanying koshirae.
How long is a Habaki?
Minosaka Iaito/Shinken Habaki
| Model/Size | Height/Length | Width |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 2.2 cm | 3.1 cm |
| Medium | 2.6 cm | 3.3 cm |
| Large | 2.9 cm | 3.4 cm |
| Extra large | 2.9 cm | 3.8 cm |
What does the Habaki do?
The habaki (鎺) is a piece of metal encircling the base of the blade of a Japanese sword. It has the double purpose of locking the tsuba (guard) in place, and to maintain the weapon in its saya (scabbard). The importance of the habaki is seen in drawing the katana from the scabbard.
What holds a katana?
The Katana is a curved, single-edged Japanese sword traditionally used by the samurai. In Japanese, the scabbard for a katana is referred to as a saya, and the hand guard piece, often intricately designed as an individual work of art, is called the tsuba.
What is Samegawa?
The same translates to “shark” or samegawa as “shark skin”. This is an important component of the katana located on the handle or tsuka. The wooden handle is carved flat on either side so a panel of samagawa can be placed under the handle wrap.
What is Hibaki in katana?
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.
What is the Sageo for on a katana?
The sageo is the knitted material used to tie the sword to a martial artists obi (sash) and the ito or tsuka-ito is the knitted material that wraps the handle. This fabric can be of a variety of different materials depending on the preference of the blade furnishes and the value of the blade.
What is a scabbard on a sword?
: a protective case or sheath for the blade of a sword or dagger. More from Merriam-Webster on scabbard.