H4ow to count Luk???

A. G. Maisey · 28th October 2013, 08:57 AM

Rasdan, I'm sorry, but I do not like to engage in speculation involving things I know nothing about. I know nothing about the relevant cultural practices of the Bugis people. I know nothing of the matters of which you write.

Regarding Pengging keris makers. Pengging was concurrent with Majapahit, but that does not mean that a keris that is classifiable as Pengging in accord with the Javanese system of tangguh necessarily originated in the time and/or area of Pengging. The Majapahit court was not exclusive of Islam, and Pengging was established by a Muslim official from the court of Majapahit.

Regarding "positively absolutely even luk" keris.

If the luk were counted using the current convention of count as practiced in Jawa it is a total impossibility to count an even number of luk.

Why is it so?

Because this convention demands that you finish the count on the same side that you started; if there is no luk you simply add one. You are not permitted to complete the count with an even number. We are dealing with a convention, not with an actuality.

This is what I have been specifically taught by two very senior keris people. Its not my idea, I'm only repeating what I've been told.

28th October 2013, 08:57 AM	#18
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	Rasdan, I'm sorry, but I do not like to engage in speculation involving things I know nothing about. I know nothing about the relevant cultural practices of the Bugis people. I know nothing of the matters of which you write. Regarding Pengging keris makers. Pengging was concurrent with Majapahit, but that does not mean that a keris that is classifiable as Pengging in accord with the Javanese system of tangguh necessarily originated in the time and/or area of Pengging. The Majapahit court was not exclusive of Islam, and Pengging was established by a Muslim official from the court of Majapahit. Regarding "positively absolutely even luk" keris. If the luk were counted using the current convention of count as practiced in Jawa it is a total impossibility to count an even number of luk. Why is it so? Because this convention demands that you finish the count on the same side that you started; if there is no luk you simply add one. You are not permitted to complete the count with an even number. We are dealing with a convention, not with an actuality. This is what I have been specifically taught by two very senior keris people. Its not my idea, I'm only repeating what I've been told.