In Japan, iron objects are recovered mostly from stone tomb chambers, stone coffins or wooden coffins. A brief history of the methods used for treating iron is presented. Today a standard procedure for treating iron can be outlined, which includes examination, cleaning, removal of chlorides (generally by the alkaline sulphite or lithium hydroxide method, with or without the soxhlet extractor) and consolidation. Restoration and a rigid schedule of maintenance follow the treatment. Table. References. -- ICCROM