If I remember correctly, these were originally etched when they were finished. Not sure if they were always kept in this condition, but I do know that subsequent Euro/American owners who loved "shiny" things would polish these up to be very shiny, even if it meant taking off any markings on the blade
(it has happened). This mentality also resulted in often throwing away the scabbards
(they did this to American Civil War swords as well
).