Keeping a keris for protection

Pusaka · 31st December 2007, 05:34 PM

I found the following statement athttp://www.cimande.com/writings/keris/keris2.htm

"In Indonesia, it was and is customary to feed such a keris, at least once a week, usually on a Saturday. The feeding can consist of applying a special oil to the blade, which is made from water growing plants and then passing the blade over a special incense, allowing the smoke to encompass the blade. This incense resembles Gum Myrrh and is a resinous tree sap material called Mignon. First to start the operation the keris is asked if it may be opened (usually done if the blade is being used for a noncombat application) by saying a suitable word, such as maaf, which means, may I? If the blade glides open easily it is appropriate to continue the operation. If not then the reason must be found and it is not auspicious to try and force the issue at that time."

I would like to ask members here if they have any information on this keris oil which is made from water growing plants. I have never heard of it personally until I read the above statement.

A. G. Maisey · 1st January 2008, 09:19 PM

The very few people whom I have known to engage in using incense on a keris have done this on Thursday evening.

The incense used is menyan (kemenyan), which is from gum benzoin, from the styrax tree.

It is used by placing a small lump on top of coals in a small charcoal brazier made of terracotta.

pakana · 2nd January 2008, 07:38 AM

[QUOTE=A. G. Maisey]The very few people whom I have known to engage in using incense on a keris have done this on Thursday evening.

This is because Kamis Kliwon is considered to be a day for the spirits. And it is always Thursday (once a month though)

George

A. G. Maisey · 2nd January 2008, 07:46 AM

Original post deleted because upon reflection I considered it to be non-productive.

Pusaka · 2nd January 2008, 02:23 PM

I'm just thinking about this oil which is made with water growing plants, the only thing that comes to mind is perhaps lotus oil. I have actually used lotus oil on some of my keris. I cant think of any other aquatic plants from which oil is made.

pakana · 3rd January 2008, 12:11 PM

[This is because Kamis Kliwon is considered to be a day for the spirits. And it is always Thursday (once a month though)

George[/QUOTE]

Actually, today is Kamis Kliwon if anyone is interested to feed his/her "little friends".

David · 3rd January 2008, 12:14 PM

Thanks for the heads up George.

A. G. Maisey · 3rd January 2008, 09:43 PM

Kamis kliwon cannot fall more than once a month, but that does not mean that there is a kamis kliwon in every month.

This year, 2008, kamis kliwon falls on jan 3, feb 7, mar 13, apr 17, may 22, june 26, july 31, no kamis kliwon in august, sept 4, okt 9, nop 13, des 18.

Kamis kliwon occurs when kliwon, from the five day market week:- legi (umanis),pahing, pon, wage, kliwon, coincides with kamis (Thursday), from the seven day calendar week.

The sacred day for Muslim people is Friday, but Friday does not commence when midnight is passed on Thursday, it commences when the sun goes down on Thursday, and it ends when the sun goes down on Friday.

Those people whom I have known who followed the practice of bathing their keris with smoke from menyan did so each Thursday evening. However, the reason why somebody may, or may not do something when that person is acting in accord with a Javanese belief system is not necessarily simple, easily interpreted , nor standardised.

For instance, the conjunction of kamis + kliwon generates a set of numbers under its neptu that can be interpreted in various ways according to the Candra Sangkala. Then again, according to the dhapur of a keris, one day may be better than any other to attend to any perceived needs of that keris---for example, minggu wage is the best day to attend to a keris of dhapur brojol. But on the other hand, if that day falls on a day when the naga is not in a fortunate position, or when the owner himself may be better to perhaps stay in bed and not do anything, then obviously he would be a little bit silly to engage in tending to his keris.

Thus, if we are truly serious about bathing our keris with menyan, it might be best to first determine our Javanese horoskop, consider the attributes of our keris, and take account of the characteristics of the various days. Probably we should seek expert advice in such an important matter. But for those of us who are not Javanese, and not living within the social and cultural fabric of traditional Jawa, all of this could be a little bit pointless.

2nd January 2008, 07:46 AM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,048	deleted---non-productive Original post deleted because upon reflection I considered it to be non-productive.

31st December 2007, 05:34 PM	#1
Pusaka Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 341	I found the following statement athttp://www.cimande.com/writings/keris/keris2.htm "In Indonesia, it was and is customary to feed such a keris, at least once a week, usually on a Saturday. The feeding can consist of applying a special oil to the blade, which is made from water growing plants and then passing the blade over a special incense, allowing the smoke to encompass the blade. This incense resembles Gum Myrrh and is a resinous tree sap material called Mignon. First to start the operation the keris is asked if it may be opened (usually done if the blade is being used for a noncombat application) by saying a suitable word, such as maaf, which means, may I? If the blade glides open easily it is appropriate to continue the operation. If not then the reason must be found and it is not auspicious to try and force the issue at that time." I would like to ask members here if they have any information on this keris oil which is made from water growing plants. I have never heard of it personally until I read the above statement.

1st January 2008, 09:19 PM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,048	The very few people whom I have known to engage in using incense on a keris have done this on Thursday evening. The incense used is menyan (kemenyan), which is from gum benzoin, from the styrax tree. It is used by placing a small lump on top of coals in a small charcoal brazier made of terracotta.

2nd January 2008, 07:38 AM	#3
pakana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 74	[QUOTE=A. G. Maisey]The very few people whom I have known to engage in using incense on a keris have done this on Thursday evening. This is because Kamis Kliwon is considered to be a day for the spirits. And it is always Thursday (once a month though) George

2nd January 2008, 02:23 PM	#5
Pusaka Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 341	I'm just thinking about this oil which is made with water growing plants, the only thing that comes to mind is perhaps lotus oil. I have actually used lotus oil on some of my keris. I cant think of any other aquatic plants from which oil is made.

3rd January 2008, 12:11 PM	#6
pakana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 74	[This is because Kamis Kliwon is considered to be a day for the spirits. And it is always Thursday (once a month though) George[/QUOTE] Actually, today is Kamis Kliwon if anyone is interested to feed his/her "little friends".

3rd January 2008, 12:14 PM	#7
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,229	Thanks for the heads up George.

3rd January 2008, 09:43 PM	#8
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,048	Kamis kliwon cannot fall more than once a month, but that does not mean that there is a kamis kliwon in every month. This year, 2008, kamis kliwon falls on jan 3, feb 7, mar 13, apr 17, may 22, june 26, july 31, no kamis kliwon in august, sept 4, okt 9, nop 13, des 18. Kamis kliwon occurs when kliwon, from the five day market week:- legi (umanis),pahing, pon, wage, kliwon, coincides with kamis (Thursday), from the seven day calendar week. The sacred day for Muslim people is Friday, but Friday does not commence when midnight is passed on Thursday, it commences when the sun goes down on Thursday, and it ends when the sun goes down on Friday. Those people whom I have known who followed the practice of bathing their keris with smoke from menyan did so each Thursday evening. However, the reason why somebody may, or may not do something when that person is acting in accord with a Javanese belief system is not necessarily simple, easily interpreted , nor standardised. For instance, the conjunction of kamis + kliwon generates a set of numbers under its neptu that can be interpreted in various ways according to the Candra Sangkala. Then again, according to the dhapur of a keris, one day may be better than any other to attend to any perceived needs of that keris---for example, minggu wage is the best day to attend to a keris of dhapur brojol. But on the other hand, if that day falls on a day when the naga is not in a fortunate position, or when the owner himself may be better to perhaps stay in bed and not do anything, then obviously he would be a little bit silly to engage in tending to his keris. Thus, if we are truly serious about bathing our keris with menyan, it might be best to first determine our Javanese horoskop, consider the attributes of our keris, and take account of the characteristics of the various days. Probably we should seek expert advice in such an important matter. But for those of us who are not Javanese, and not living within the social and cultural fabric of traditional Jawa, all of this could be a little bit pointless.