!!!WARNING - SWORDS ARE VERY SHARP - HANDLE WITH GREAT CARE - THEY CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY!!!

Do not clean the sword blade or any parts of the sword including the tang as this can greatly reduce its value. If possible, remove the handle and make a rubbing of the tang, to transfer the Japanese characters to a piece of paper that you can send to us for evaluation. To do so, locate the wood retaining peg about 1-1/2" from the handguard, place a punch or drill bit on the small end of the peg; a sharp tap should dislodge it. Slide the handle off the tang; a soft tap with a rubber mallet maybe needed (do not use a metal hammer as it may damage the handguard). Make a rubbing as follows (do both sides if there are characters on both sides - do one side even if the blade is not signed.)
1. Rub the tang evenly with carbon paper.
2. Place clear scotch tape the full length of the tang (2 strips side-by-side may be needed).
3. Rub the tape onto the tang with your thumb to pick up carbon residue.
4. Peel tape off and apply it to a sheet of white paper (the back of this sheet of paper is fine) If a camera is available, place blade next to handle, scabbard and handguard on a light cloth, and take one or two photos. Include photos with this sheet. Sword blade Sword blade drawing sword handle drawing.