Keris in Jakarta

[Raja Muda]

I will be spending a week in Jakarta at my company's Indonesian office. I was wondering if my fellow Keris enthusiasts could point me to any good museums and galleries where I can view Indonesian keris masterpieces, as well as somewhere I can watch a good wayang performance and/or listen to a good gamelan orchestra (might as well experience Javanese culture while I'm there).

Also, I would be grateful if anyone can point me to good bookstores where I can buy titles on keris and Indonesian weapons.

I know a lot of friends insisted that I make my way to Solo or Yogya but I don't think I'm able to squeeze it into this trip.
:)

[simatua]

-The National Museum of Jakarta seems to have very nice kerises.

- The keris museum (located at Taman mini) is a must to see; It has a lot of kerises and at the back of the museum is a store where they sell kerises and books as well.

- Also the pasar keris is a place where you can see buy lots of kerises.

If you need a contact in Jakarta i can give you the adress/phone number of my father (in law) by mail. He knows excact the location of the places and maybe he can show you around if you want, he's a retaired army officer.

Keep in mind that a lot of kerises for sale are newly made.

[Raja Muda]

Thanks Simatua,

I'll certainly try and visit the places you recommended. An Indonesian friend will be showing me around so getting to those places will not be a problem (though I've been warned about Jakarta's famous traffic jams).
I guess there will be a lot of new Madura made blades on sale, though someone told me some of the better made ones can turn up with very nice pamor.
I think Malaysian customs have a policy of confiscating blade weapons brought through the airport unless you have special permission from the authorities. I think this time I'll just limit myself to scouting the museums and picking up some books.

cheers
Raja Muda

[simatua]

Hello Raja,

I digged up the adress from the Museum pasaka ( located at Taman mini)
Jl Pondok gede kramat Jati
Jakarta 13560
tel (021) 8404155,5409497
Buka setiap hari: Selasa-Mingu Pukul: 09:00 s/d 16:00
Senin Libur

If youre there ask for the little green ( free!) book:

Keris sebaggai Karya seni
The Keris as a work of art

Have a nice time!
gr