Keris in Jakarta
 

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.
:)

-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.

Search for Keris
 

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

adres Museum Pusaka
 

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