Errors in Keris Literature

ganjawulung · 6th August 2007, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

...These papers have been widey cited since they are among the few studies on keris published in any western language, at least as of 10 years ago. Things are changing slowly due to enhanced international communication, especially via the Internet.

However, there's still a load of keris studies which I eagerly await getting translated into English...

Dear Kai,
Thanks for reminding me about this. Yes, there are not many good books on keris published in any western language. But I am noting too that still there is a very very good book out there, that we must be recalled. Please look at this very good book, "The World of the Javanese Keris" which was written by Garrett and Bronwen Solyom -- published for an exhibition at the East-West Culture Learning Institute East-West Center, Honolulu, Hawaii on April 10 to May 12 1978. I think, this is one of the best book ever on keris which was published by the western writers -- especially on Javanese keris.

Look at their research to write this beautiful book. They conducted research and to study in some of the most important collections and libraries such as Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia (Indonesian Research Institute), Museum Radyapustaka (Solo), Museum Pusat (Jakarta), and from royal source especially GPH Praboewidjojo (Solo Palace), Istana Mangkunegaran (Solo) and Museum Sanabudaya (Jogjakarta) and at least twenty "mranggi" (keris sheath makers), such as some royal empus Yosopangarso, Djeno Harumbrojo and Imandihardjo, and mranggis R Ng Prodjowirongko, RM L Atmotjurigo, Matang Sadaja and a couple of local experts such as Harjono Guritno, Soelaeman Pringgodigdo...

Look at their interesting view in this book, (quote) "Both within Java and beyond, there is a wealth of regional and local variations associated with all aspects of the keris, from the manner of wearing it to the naming of the parts of the blade. It would be impossible to represent them all. Keris were made in several other islands of the Indonesian archipelago, in Malaysia and in the southern Philippines. The fourteenth century expansion on the Javanese kingdom of Majapahit probably brought Javanese blade, sheath and hilt forms to the other islands. Even today, Majapahit or other Javanese blades are found in the regalia of courts outside Java. It may be conjectured that keris made in such places as Madura, Bali, Sumatera and sulawesi were heavily influenced by Majapahit and other Javanese styles which they have retained in varying degrees until the present. In Java the keris reached its technical and aesthetic height. In comparison to the austere form and matchless technique of the Japanese sword and the directness of crystalline damascening in the Damascus saber, the form of the Javanese keris offers vital flowing line and pattern-welding of a uniquely organic character.
Thus it seemed appropriate to select Java as a point of departure for study of the keris. It is deeply embedded there, in a complex world of lore and legend, magical and spiritual symbolism, and formal rituals for making, care and use.....,"

I hope much, that this "exhibition" books will be reprinted, for they who want to study about Javanese keris. Yes, because many of their sources -- such as empu Yosopangarso, empu Djeno and master of keris sheath maker such as Prodjowirongko -- had passed away...

Ganjawulung

ganjawulung · 6th August 2007, 03:26 AM

Why this East-West Center book?
In 1976, a keris was commissioned by Garrett Solyom as a means of documenting the process. It was made jointly by empu Yosopangarso and the youngest son, Djeno (then Jogja royal empu). The negotiations provided for the purchase of 12 sacks of finely broken teak charcoal (for burning the blades), 4,5 kilograms of "old" iron and about 300 grams of steel, offerings for the "beginning" ceremony, and labor and food for the smiths. Nickel, meteoric or otherwise, was essential for the creation of the patterns in the blade. It was hard for the smiths to obtain, so a strip of 99,5% pure nickel 1mm thick and weighing 50 grams was brought from overseas. Fifty one working days later these raw materials were transformed into a keris, 16 1/4 inches long and weighing nine ounces.... It was a putra (copy) of a (royal) Surakarta blade provided for the purpose...

And this is more interesting writing on this book:
In recent years, it had been widely thought that no practicing keris smiths remained in Java. Their art was assumed virtually gone since, traditionally, many of the rituals and secrets of the blade-making process were unrecorded and observers were not usually permitted in the smithy. But a search confirmed rumors that there were legitimate smiths still at work making truly new blades rather than "forging" new from old, unfortunately the more common practice. Three of the sons of a smith named Supowinangun had once help their father make keris. For perhaps eight years following his death, they took other work. Then, in 1972, a German visitor, Dietrich Drescher, helped refurbish the forge in the home of the eldest son, Yosopangarso, of the village of Jitar, west of Yogyakarta. With this encouragement, the sons began to smith again, selling their work to dealers in the region...

Thank you, Dietrich. But unfortunately, these all empus now had passed away...

Ganjawulung

ganjawulung · 6th August 2007, 04:01 AM

May be this is useful for they who want to study keris, still from Garrett and Bronwen Solyom's book:

Various iron objects, rarely keris, have been unearthed in Javanese archaeological sites such as Sragen. Keris said to have been dug up belong to a special category. They are short, straight and sturdy with a unique square-section tang, and many features of a Surakarta keris. They are plain iron; some have iron metok, a wide ring, rusted over the tang, but original handles are unknown. The Solonese call them keris buda, believing them to come from the Central Javanese Hindhu Buddhist era (ninth century of before?). Apparently no reliable dating has been obtained for them. All objects of wesi buda (buddhist iron) are believed to be powerful.

And this is also from Garrett and Bronwen Solyom:
Another enigmatic group of keris have been simple blades and stylized human figure hilts made from one piece and of forge welded iron. Western litterature generally calls them keris majapahit (a term not used in Solo) and, with little proof, popularly labels them as the oldest kind of keris....

Ganjawulung

Alam Shah · 6th August 2007, 02:58 PM

I agree. The World of the Javanese Keris, is a good book. Although only 65 pages, in black and white, it covers a fair amount of concise information on Javanese keris and the amount of worksmanship that goes into a quality ensemble. Excellent photography, making this book, a 'must have' for collectors.

This fine book is still available, [ here ].

6th August 2007, 03:26 AM	#2
ganjawulung Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: J a k a r t a Posts: 991	Documentation of Keris Making Why this East-West Center book? In 1976, a keris was commissioned by Garrett Solyom as a means of documenting the process. It was made jointly by empu Yosopangarso and the youngest son, Djeno (then Jogja royal empu). The negotiations provided for the purchase of 12 sacks of finely broken teak charcoal (for burning the blades), 4,5 kilograms of "old" iron and about 300 grams of steel, offerings for the "beginning" ceremony, and labor and food for the smiths. Nickel, meteoric or otherwise, was essential for the creation of the patterns in the blade. It was hard for the smiths to obtain, so a strip of 99,5% pure nickel 1mm thick and weighing 50 grams was brought from overseas. Fifty one working days later these raw materials were transformed into a keris, 16 1/4 inches long and weighing nine ounces.... It was a putra (copy) of a (royal) Surakarta blade provided for the purpose... And this is more interesting writing on this book: In recent years, it had been widely thought that no practicing keris smiths remained in Java. Their art was assumed virtually gone since, traditionally, many of the rituals and secrets of the blade-making process were unrecorded and observers were not usually permitted in the smithy. But a search confirmed rumors that there were legitimate smiths still at work making truly new blades rather than "forging" new from old, unfortunately the more common practice. Three of the sons of a smith named Supowinangun had once help their father make keris. For perhaps eight years following his death, they took other work. Then, in 1972, a German visitor, Dietrich Drescher, helped refurbish the forge in the home of the eldest son, Yosopangarso, of the village of Jitar, west of Yogyakarta. With this encouragement, the sons began to smith again, selling their work to dealers in the region... Thank you, Dietrich. But unfortunately, these all empus now had passed away... Ganjawulung

6th August 2007, 04:01 AM	#3
ganjawulung Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: J a k a r t a Posts: 991	Keris Buda or Keris Budo May be this is useful for they who want to study keris, still from Garrett and Bronwen Solyom's book: Various iron objects, rarely keris, have been unearthed in Javanese archaeological sites such as Sragen. Keris said to have been dug up belong to a special category. They are short, straight and sturdy with a unique square-section tang, and many features of a Surakarta keris. They are plain iron; some have iron metok, a wide ring, rusted over the tang, but original handles are unknown. The Solonese call them keris buda, believing them to come from the Central Javanese Hindhu Buddhist era (ninth century of before?). Apparently no reliable dating has been obtained for them. All objects of wesi buda (buddhist iron) are believed to be powerful. And this is also from Garrett and Bronwen Solyom: Another enigmatic group of keris have been simple blades and stylized human figure hilts made from one piece and of forge welded iron. Western litterature generally calls them keris majapahit (a term not used in Solo) and, with little proof, popularly labels them as the oldest kind of keris.... Ganjawulung

6th August 2007, 02:58 PM	#4
Alam Shah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,248	Garrett and Bronwen Solyom book (1978) I agree. The World of the Javanese Keris, is a good book. Although only 65 pages, in black and white, it covers a fair amount of concise information on Javanese keris and the amount of worksmanship that goes into a quality ensemble. Excellent photography, making this book, a 'must have' for collectors. This fine book is still available, [ here ].