Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

David · 20th June 2011, 04:58 PM

I will second Rick's suggestions, but must point out that IMO there really is no "best" reference book on the subject of keris. Most of them have their failings, many have misinformation passed along from previous incorrect sources and few are very comprehensive.
I have no complaints about the info in the Solyum book, but it is fairly introductory and is, of course, specific to the Javanese keris. A must have in any keris library though.
Weiner's Visible and Invisible Realms is not specifically about keris, but it is invaluable to the understanding of keris within the culture.
I would also suggest the lastest upgraded re-issue of Groneman's The Javanese Kris as well as Theo Alkema's Iron Ancestors which aims it's study at keris sajen and other talismanic tojan aji.

20th June 2011, 04:58 PM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,034	I will second Rick's suggestions, but must point out that IMO there really is no "best" reference book on the subject of keris. Most of them have their failings, many have misinformation passed along from previous incorrect sources and few are very comprehensive. I have no complaints about the info in the Solyum book, but it is fairly introductory and is, of course, specific to the Javanese keris. A must have in any keris library though. Weiner's Visible and Invisible Realms is not specifically about keris, but it is invaluable to the understanding of keris within the culture. I would also suggest the lastest upgraded re-issue of Groneman's The Javanese Kris as well as Theo Alkema's Iron Ancestors which aims it's study at keris sajen and other talismanic tojan aji. Last edited by David; 21st June 2011 at 03:12 AM.