What is Shirogane-shi in Japanese Katana terminology?

A "白銀師" (Shirogane-shi) is a craftsman who specializes in creating "鎺" (Habaki), which is a piece of metal encircling the base of the blade of a Japanese sword. In addition to creating Habaki, a Shirogane-shi may also be responsible for crafting other metal fittings and the base for metal carvings for sword mountings. The role of a Shirogane-shi is crucial in the sword-making process as they ensure the sword fits securely into its sheath and aids in balancing the weight of the sword.