What is it?

[Sajen]

Hello Alan,

I would guess that your taji box is from Java or Madura but I am unsure.

Sadly I've sold my both boxes.

Best regards,
Detlef

[A. G. Maisey]

No, its from Bali.

I've got several other sets of taji I'll post some more pics when I have the time to take them.

In the 1970's it was not difficult to buy sets of taji in Bali, but then they introduced a law that made it an offense to stage cock fights for other than religious purposes, and along with this, the open sale of taji simply disappeared.

All the sets I have were bought in Klungkung during the mid-1970's. In the 1990's I managed to buy a couple of sets, but they were poor quality and the boxes were decorated with tourist style painting. I sold them, and the lesser sets I'd bought in the '70's I also got rid of. I think I've still got 3 or 4 sets, all good, but this is my favourite set.

I've never seen taji for sale in Jawa, but there are still cock fights staged in Central Jawa. When I stay in Palur, I sometimes see a fight going on off to the side of road in a little gully, on the way out to the main road.

Its interesting to see the different fighting styles of Balinese cocks.

Balinese cocks normally go at one another head on and try for a quick, brave kill.

Javanese cocks tend to avoid one another, sometimes by simply running away, but then they try to get behind the other bird and take it from the back.

Some people make quite uncomplimentary remarks about these two different styles of fighting.

The above remarks on fighting styles are generalities, there can always be exceptions.

[asomotif]

Something has drawn my attention to this thread.

Fortunately it is not closed (yet)

I wonder if there is anyone who can share their Taji.

Best regards,
Willem

[Miguel]

Hi, I have just stumbled onto this thread and noticed the " taji ". Before reading this I would not have known what they were. I am sure that I have some of these somewhere in my boxes of allsorts and will post some photos next week sometime, if possible, as I would welcome some information on them. They are not housed in a posh box like the that shown in the photos shown but the implements are very similar. Thanks for sharing.
Regards
Miguel

[Miguel]

Hi, I have had these for around 40 years and for most of that time they have languished in one of my storage boxes forgotten until I spotted this thread.
As I have already said I did not know what they were until I saw this thread, in fact I thought they may be points for arrows or darts, in those days I purchased anything that I considered unusual whether I knew what it was or not. Anyway as promised I have rooted them out and taken a couple of photos so you can see the spurs and carrying tubes. The spurs are, as you can see, in need of a good clean. The carrying tubes look like Bamboo. I think the two on their own are for Tourists but I am not sue of the other four. They certainly are not of the quality of the one shown in the thread but I trust they will prove of interest and would welcome any information you can provide about them such as place of origin, age whether Tourist or not etc. I forgot to mention that the spurs have both straight double edged blades and wavey ones.
Regards
Miguel

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Miguel

Hi, I have had these for around 40 years and for most of that time they have languished in one of my storage boxes forgotten until I spotted this thread.
As I have already said I did not know what they were until I saw this thread, in fact I thought they may be points for arrows or darts, in those days I purchased anything that I considered unusual whether I knew what it was or not. Anyway as promised I have rooted them out and taken a couple of photos so you can see the spurs and carrying tubes. The spurs are, as you can see, in need of a good clean. The carrying tubes look like Bamboo. I think the two on their own are for Tourists but I am not sue of the other four. They certainly are not of the quality of the one shown in the thread but I trust they will prove of interest and would welcome any information you can provide about them such as place of origin, age whether Tourist or not etc. I forgot to mention that the spurs have both straight double edged blades and wavey ones.
Regards
Miguel

Hi Miguel,
since nobody else have respond I'll give it a try. I never have seen such Taji boxes in Indonesia what not mean that they are not Indonesian but I tend to think that they are not from Indonesia, keep in mind that cock fights are found in many countries. Here a little bit backround information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockfight
And yes, the tubes are from bamboo and agree with you that two look like tourist items. But the others are very nice and interesting ethnograhic items.


Regards,
Detlef

[Miguel]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hi Miguel,
since nobody else have respond I'll give it a try. I never have seen such Taji boxes in Indonesia what not mean that they are not Indonesian but I tend to think that they are not from Indonesia, keep in mind that cock fights are found in many countries. Here a little bit backround information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockfight
And yes, the tubes are from bamboo and agree with you that two look like tourist items. But the others are very nice and interesting ethnograhic items.


Regards,
Detlef

Hi Detief, thanks for your reply and for the link. Since finding out what they are for I have done some searching and have not seen anything similar to my boxes for containing the blades. I was hoping that A.G. Maisey would know as he seems to be knowledgeable about these things, in the meantime I will continue searching and if I find anything will let you know.
Regards
Miguel