Lacquered saya should be stored horizontally or on a dedicated tanto stand to avoid pressure on the lacquer surface, which can develop impression marks if stacked or stored upright under contact with other objects. The blade inside the saya should be lightly treated with a fine coat of choji oil or food-grade mineral oil before long-term storage — this prevents moisture from forming between blade and saya interior, which can cause surface oxidation. Avoid storing tanto in sealed plastic cases without desiccant, as trapped humidity accelerates both blade oxidation and lacquer clouding. A display environment with stable humidity between 45–55% is ideal. For pieces with gold or metallic lacquer accents, keep them away from direct sunlight, which can fade pigment over time and cause uneven yellowing of light-colored lacquer finishes.
