Thank you guys... Yeah I think they were made in China actually by a local towns sword smith... But because they were Japanese sword designs he wanted the engravings in Japanese but done by someone who probably didnt speak the language. I had the swords inspected by a Kendo master's apprentice (not sure what his title was exactly?)... He took it them apart in front of me. Explained that they were well made, balanced, etc. Hey gave me an appx worth of each sword and explained the difference in a real katana vs the less expensive but still very functional ones. Basically said these were well made good affordable katanas. Thanks again for the translations