INDONESIAN KERIS: Aesthetic and Philosophical Meaning

Jean · 28th April 2013, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

]

Bapak Pauzan has written a book that is presently being produced and should be available around the time of Bulan Puasa. This should be an essential inclusion in every keris interested person's library, as it is the first modern book written by a practicing empu. Bapak Pauzan's orientation is the art of the keris, and I would expect to see this aspect of keris understanding prioritised in his writings.

Hello Alan,
Excellent news about the forthcoming book from Pak Pauzan, and I hope that it will include an English translation of the text as in the book Tafsir Keris by Toni Junus?
I attach the picture of the cover of the book mentioned by Patrick.
Best regards

David · 28th April 2013, 03:19 PM

Well, i think we all remain hopeful with every new keris book that appears. I find many of the beautifully produced "eye-candy" books useful solely because they provide well produced and detailed photographs of keris i probably would never otherwise get a chance to view, but i must agree with Alan that the text in these books is next to useless.
I too would hope to see Bapak Pauzan's book available with English translation. Alan, do you have any idea if this will be the case?

A. G. Maisey · 28th April 2013, 10:57 PM

I did not raise the question with Pauzan, but it would surprise me if it is published in two languages. My present understanding is that it is to be a small book that is concerned primarily with Pauzan's work.

Possibly another Forum member may feel inclined to comment?

kai · 30th April 2013, 08:43 AM

Hello Alan,

Quote:

I did not raise the question with Pauzan, but it would surprise me if it is published in two languages. My present understanding is that it is to be a small book that is concerned primarily with Pauzan's work.

Possibly another Forum member may feel inclined to comment?

Well, I for one would love to obtain an English translation!

If this is going to be one of the few books with important tidbits to be found in the text (rather than pics only), an English version would certainly find a much wider audience and help to spread valuable information on keris Jawa. I'd appreciate very much if you were to suggest this to Bapak Pauzan for his kind consideration, Alan!

Folks, speak up!

Regards,
Kai

A. G. Maisey · 30th April 2013, 09:01 AM

Kai, I feel it is probably too late to suggest anything. As I understand it, this book is already in production, and Pauzan is not the only person concerned. The gentleman who is behind this publication is a very canny, experienced person who is well aware of interest in keris outside Jawa, and S.E. Asia, and additionally has English as a second language. My guess is that he has already thoroughly assessed the market and would have a good understanding of the bottom line. If he has been able to see a return in publishing in Indonesian and English, we will possibly see some English text, if, after analysis he has seen a decline in his percentile return if he provides English text, then I doubt that we will see any English text.
If I were involved in something like this, as an Indonesian, I very much doubt that I would provide English text, I believe I would find that the increase in sales measured against the cost of providing that text would be insufficient to convince me to get a translation done and fund the additional cost of production.

Jean · 30th April 2013, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

If I were involved in something like this, as an Indonesian, I very much doubt that I would provide English text, I believe I would find that the increase in sales measured against the cost of providing that text would be insufficient to convince me to get a translation done and fund the additional cost of production.

Hello Alan,
If the space allocated to the text is not much as compared to the pictures, the additional cost of the English translation is low as the number of pages of the book will not significantly increase. The book Tafsir Keris from Toni Junus is a good example of such combined text and the fact to provide an international audience to the book is not negligible but it is too late anyway.....
I attach the picture of a blade purchased from Pak Pauzan at his home in 1996 and supposedly made by him.
Best regards

ariel · 30th April 2013, 10:54 PM

I have never been very impressed by "authorities" who pronounce their negative opinions about somebody else's books without even bothering to read them or after only a " quick scanning".

Bjorn · 30th April 2013, 09:02 AM

I agree with David that these coffee table-style books offer us an opportunity to see what kinds of kris are out there (and out of our reach, by and large).

They may not provide much information but for beginning collectors, such as myself, there are still some tidbits to be found.

But considering their high price tag I do look for second-hand or otherwise discounted copies.

28th April 2013, 03:19 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Well, i think we all remain hopeful with every new keris book that appears. I find many of the beautifully produced "eye-candy" books useful solely because they provide well produced and detailed photographs of keris i probably would never otherwise get a chance to view, but i must agree with Alan that the text in these books is next to useless. I too would hope to see Bapak Pauzan's book available with English translation. Alan, do you have any idea if this will be the case?

28th April 2013, 10:57 PM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	I did not raise the question with Pauzan, but it would surprise me if it is published in two languages. My present understanding is that it is to be a small book that is concerned primarily with Pauzan's work. Possibly another Forum member may feel inclined to comment?

30th April 2013, 09:01 AM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	Kai, I feel it is probably too late to suggest anything. As I understand it, this book is already in production, and Pauzan is not the only person concerned. The gentleman who is behind this publication is a very canny, experienced person who is well aware of interest in keris outside Jawa, and S.E. Asia, and additionally has English as a second language. My guess is that he has already thoroughly assessed the market and would have a good understanding of the bottom line. If he has been able to see a return in publishing in Indonesian and English, we will possibly see some English text, if, after analysis he has seen a decline in his percentile return if he provides English text, then I doubt that we will see any English text. If I were involved in something like this, as an Indonesian, I very much doubt that I would provide English text, I believe I would find that the increase in sales measured against the cost of providing that text would be insufficient to convince me to get a translation done and fund the additional cost of production.

30th April 2013, 10:54 PM	#7
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I have never been very impressed by "authorities" who pronounce their negative opinions about somebody else's books without even bothering to read them or after only a " quick scanning".

30th April 2013, 09:02 AM	#8
Bjorn Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Netherlands Posts: 188	I agree with David that these coffee table-style books offer us an opportunity to see what kinds of kris are out there (and out of our reach, by and large). They may not provide much information but for beginning collectors, such as myself, there are still some tidbits to be found. But considering their high price tag I do look for second-hand or otherwise discounted copies.