seppa is positioned between the habaki and tsuba, and the tsuba and fuchi. It serves as a shock absorber to prevent the tsuba from deflecting or the tsuba from coming into direct contact with the blade, thus strengthening the blade, and it also serves to prevent the fixed portion of the sword from shaking during intense cuts, reduces the impact transmitted to the hand during the cut, and adjusts the grip of the hilt. Simply put, the seppa protects the tsuba.