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Originally Posted by marto suwignyo
Regarding the use of the word "empu".
Empu is the title bestowed upon an outstanding poet, writer, artist, or armourer.
In Java, normally one could expect that this title would be bestowed by a Kraton, however, there were instances of famous empus who were not designated thus by a Kraton, but rather came to be known as empu by the wider community. Whereas a Kraton appointed , Javanese empu might be regarded as a part of Kraton heirarchy, and carry a Kraton rank, the empus of Bali were not a part of the Kraton heirarchy, but rather members of the Pande caste, having their own priests, living within their own community, and serving both the common people and the Kraton, upon request.
A pandhe is a blacksmith; this is Javanese usage.
A pandai is a craftsman in metal; this is Indonesian usage.
A pandai besi is a blacksmith (Indonesian).
A pandai keris is a keris craftsman.(Indonesian)
A pandai keris in Java could become an empu if invited to join the heirarchy of a kraton, and given a rank within that heirarchy.
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Salam Marto and good to have you on board. Have been enjoying your interesting/informative posts.
On the subject of Empu, I was once told it's a title bestowed by the Kraton in those days and if so wouldn't it be true there's no Kraton appointed Empu presently? I'm not exactly sure how the late Suparman and Djeno got their Empu titles and perhaps you could enlighten. Would it be more appropriate to call ALL present day keris (blade) makers pandai?