It is my opinion too that the hilt must be removed before cleaning the blade.
I always clean also the peksi (tang) to prevent an over - rusting, and remove the gangia to eliminate rust which forms between the gangia and the upper part of the blade. At the end I apply, on the tang only, an anti-rust varnish.
To conclude, considering the condition of the blade, I am afraid the pinapple juce will not do so much (but I never tried this method) I normally use either elecrolitic cleaning or bio-deruster. In some cases, but with great care, also a solution of phosforic acid.
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