Generally, the name and address of the sword craftsman are inscribed on the front side (outside when wearing Tachi or Katana), and the year or name of the owner in the back side, but there are exceptions such as back-inscription or no inscription at all.
一般的に表（太刀や刀を身に付けた際、外側になる面）に刀工名や居住地を切り、裏に制作年や所持者名などを切ることが多いが、裏銘や無銘など例外もある。