Collare Habaki in ottone per spada samurai giapponese Katana Wakizashi Tanto
The importance of the habaki is seen in drawing the katana from the scabbard. The blade, being freed, can be drawn out very quickly. This is known as koiguchi o kiru (鯉口を切る), nukitsuke (抜き付け), or tanka o kiru (啖呵を切る) "clearing the tanka".