P a t r e m -- The Smaller Keris

[David]

Originally Posted by ganjawulung

Gandhik naga (front section of keris base with naga or dragon relief) is only found in Javanese kerises.

I have certainly seen Bali keris naga.

[Alam Shah]

Hmmm... Naga pieces are also found in Northern Peninsular (see pic) and Riau-Lingga Archipelago, (an example in Asian Civilizations Museum, Singapore). There are quite a number in Sumatra as well.

Although I believe it originated from Java and found its way to other regions.

@quotes from Dave Henkel's site
There are a surprising variety of Peninsular forms although there is little information about the dapur or shape of the blade. Take a look at this interesting naga blade. (Pattani, Southern Thailand... anonymous collector.)

[ganjawulung]

Dear David and Shahrial,
Yes, I think I must correct my previous statement that I quote from Mr Bambang Harsrinuksmo. (See Naga, Gandhik page 304 Ensiklopedi Keris). I found too, naga or other relief in Lombok kerises. (See picture) And in Lombok, kerises with relief in the gandhik such as naga, pendeta (priest), elephant etc, called as "keris tantri".. (See, Keris in Lombok, by Lalu Djelenga, page 165)

Ganjawulung

[David]

Originally Posted by ganjawulung

Yes, I think I must correct my previous statement that I quote from Mr Bambang Harsrinuksmo. (See Naga, Gandhik page 304 Ensiklopedi Keris).

This is a good example how even what one might consider their most trusted reference book on keris is bound to have errors in it. I have yet to find any book that doesn't have some mistakes in it.

[ganjawulung]

Originally Posted by David

This is a good example how even what one might consider their most trusted reference book on keris is bound to have errors in it. I have yet to find any book that doesn't have some mistakes in it.

Yes David,
Similar example as the book I trusted much on keris, De Kris. It was inaccurate when it mentioned "keris sajen" (small kerises for offering) as "keris majapahit". It misled many people outside Indonesia, (many western writers continued that error) that keris from Majapahit era was only like that.

Ganjawulung

[David]

Originally Posted by ganjawulung

Yes David,
Similar example as the book I trusted much on keris, De Kris. It was inaccurate when it mentioned "keris sajen" (small kerises for offering) as "keris majapahit". It misled many people outside Indonesia, (many western writers continued that error) that keris from Majapahit era was only like that.

Ganjawulung

very true...

[ganjawulung]

In many occasions, in a couple of keris book, this "mini keris", patrem size keris with handle and blade in one piece, often called as "keris majapahit". Or "keris pichit" in Malay term. (Please see, pictures, and comparison to the normal Javanese keris)

Just see the older books, like De Kris (Magic Relic of Old Indonesia) which was written by Mr Ing GJFJ Tammens (page 114-115), or the Malaysian book "The Keris and Other Malay Weapons" (AH Hill, GC Woolley, HC Keith, GM Laidlaw, GB Gardner, E Banks and Abu Bakar bin Pawanchee).

Even Mr Hill, mentioned more than once in the glossary of keris term, that "keris majapahit is earliest form of keris; hilt and blade in one piece". (page 71 and 131). Mr Gardner even divided, between "male and female" of "keris majapahit".

Keris Majapahit "jantan" (male) according to Gardner, was forged by a male smith with final tempering by being drawn under armpit (Gardner, 1936:43), and Keris Majapahit "perempuan" (female) forge by a female smith with inter vulva tempering (loc cit) page 71.

Mr Gardner wrote about Keris Majapahit (quote) "during twenty years in Malaya I have heard many stories about Keris Majapahit and Keris Pichit, but I have seen only eight Keris Majapahit and three Pichit altogether..." (page 158).

Mr Woolley even mentioned in the Malay book, that "Keris Majapahit was the early dagger of the Majapahit empire) and the figure is of the same size and type..."

Mr Abu Bakar bin Pawanchee wrote about "An Unusual Keris Majapahit" which has the handle faces the edge on the side of the dagu (chin). Page 170.

If those were the only true types of Majapahit kerises, then, it was so sad. Because Majapahit was a glorious era of keris making in Java -- in styles, in dhapur, metal material, and quite eye-catching to recognize that those keris came from Majapahit, or at least -- with Majapahit style. The diverse of kerises through the Archipelago, was happened in this era, and the earlier era of Singasari (see, the Pamalayu Expedition during the reign of King Kertanegara from Singasari 1275. Melayu -- part of Sumatera now, was occupied by Kertanegara's soldier in 1286. See Prof Dr Slamet Muljana in "The Fall of the Javanese Hindu Kingdoms and the Rise of Islamic States in Nusantara" 1968)

Then, what was actually the "Keris Majapahit" as many western writers wrote? Those smaller kerises, were actually "keris sajen" (keris for offerings, according to Mr Bambang Harsrinuksmo -- ensiklopedi keris). And according to Mr Haryono Haryoguritno, those are "seking" or mini keris used for offering. For instance, in a Javanese ritual ceremony of "tedhak siti" (a little child begins to learn walking to the ground). At the ceremony, Javanese people in the old days usually gave offering consist of fruits and small keris, mini keris, sajen keris... Are those really the only kerises from Majapahit?

Ganjawulung