Interpretation of the Pre-Islamic Javanese Keris

A. G. Maisey · 14th June 2013, 12:03 AM

In the late 1970's I wrote the draft of an article on keris symbolism. At that time I understood very little about keris, and after reflection I decided not to publish this article.

In 1982 in Bali I met and spoke with a Brahmin of advanced age. I gained some quite startling insights from this conversation and I wrote the draft of another article, which once again I decided not to publish.

From the early 1980's onwards I wrote a lot of drafts, and published a few articles, but I did not publish anything that touched on the things that I considered to be really important.

In September 2011 I wrote the first draft of an article in which I have attempted to bring together knowledge and ideas that I have gathered over the last 30 years or so. This article has now been published in the Journal of the Antique Arms Collectors Society of Australia.

I have produced an on-line version which can be read here:-

http://kerisattosanaji.com/INTERPRETATIONPAGE1.html

I would request anybody who wishes to read this article to read the Preface very carefully before diving headlong into the actual article.

Hard copies of the Journal in which this article has been published are available, and anybody who wishes to obtain one should contact me for details.

kai · 14th June 2013, 06:59 AM

G'day Alan,

Wow, thanks a lot for this article! Kudos for your longtime efforts and sharing your ideas!

I will certainly need time to carefully digest it and will try give you feedback later...

Regards,
Kai

rasdan · 14th June 2013, 12:52 PM

Wow.. Have not finished reading it, but I have an instinct that this publication will clear up many of my unfinished thoughts on keris symbolism that had been lingering in my mind for quite some time. Precious! Thanks Alan!

Jean · 14th June 2013, 07:27 PM

Alan,
What a fascinating and novel article in my view, very documented and clearly written, congratulations and thanks! I was privileged to receive it few weeks ago and read it carefully but I will need to come back to it several times for fully absorbing it, and it gave me the motivation to learn more about the Javanese and Balinese culture as you strongly invite us to do!

Best regards

Montino Bourbon · 14th June 2013, 10:33 PM

this is an excellent article. I just read the whole thing, and plan on going back and rereading it very slowly.

Rick · 15th June 2013, 01:33 AM

I think the research combined with the hands-on experience at the forge makes for a compelling argument .

Jussi M. · 17th June 2013, 08:44 AM

It is indeed a rare occasion when paradigms do shift. Shall this article become the catalyst of such a event thus remains to be seen in the decades to follow. Regardless the possible outcome(s) the article itself is a triumph achievement and deserves to be treated as such regardless whether one chooses to agree, or disagree, with the actual information embedded on it. Past facts and findings we humans usually end up seeing what we want to see and hearing what we want to hear. In this regards the keris represented and still continues to represent a system of belief. I personally will most probably never look at a keris like I did before reading this article. Thank you.

14th June 2013, 12:03 AM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,700	Interpretation of the Pre-Islamic Javanese Keris In the late 1970's I wrote the draft of an article on keris symbolism. At that time I understood very little about keris, and after reflection I decided not to publish this article. In 1982 in Bali I met and spoke with a Brahmin of advanced age. I gained some quite startling insights from this conversation and I wrote the draft of another article, which once again I decided not to publish. From the early 1980's onwards I wrote a lot of drafts, and published a few articles, but I did not publish anything that touched on the things that I considered to be really important. In September 2011 I wrote the first draft of an article in which I have attempted to bring together knowledge and ideas that I have gathered over the last 30 years or so. This article has now been published in the Journal of the Antique Arms Collectors Society of Australia. I have produced an on-line version which can be read here:- http://kerisattosanaji.com/INTERPRETATIONPAGE1.html I would request anybody who wishes to read this article to read the Preface very carefully before diving headlong into the actual article. Hard copies of the Journal in which this article has been published are available, and anybody who wishes to obtain one should contact me for details.

14th June 2013, 10:33 PM	#5
Montino Bourbon Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 295	Thank you for this article, Alan! this is an excellent article. I just read the whole thing, and plan on going back and rereading it very slowly.

14th June 2013, 06:59 AM	#2
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,218	G'day Alan, Wow, thanks a lot for this article! Kudos for your longtime efforts and sharing your ideas! I will certainly need time to carefully digest it and will try give you feedback later... Regards, Kai

14th June 2013, 12:52 PM	#3
rasdan Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kuala Lumpur Posts: 367	Wow.. Have not finished reading it, but I have an instinct that this publication will clear up many of my unfinished thoughts on keris symbolism that had been lingering in my mind for quite some time. Precious! Thanks Alan!

14th June 2013, 07:27 PM	#4
Jean Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,740	Alan, What a fascinating and novel article in my view, very documented and clearly written, congratulations and thanks! I was privileged to receive it few weeks ago and read it carefully but I will need to come back to it several times for fully absorbing it, and it gave me the motivation to learn more about the Javanese and Balinese culture as you strongly invite us to do! Best regards

15th June 2013, 01:33 AM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,262	I think the research combined with the hands-on experience at the forge makes for a compelling argument .

17th June 2013, 08:44 AM	#7
Jussi M. Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 235	It is indeed a rare occasion when paradigms do shift. Shall this article become the catalyst of such a event thus remains to be seen in the decades to follow. Regardless the possible outcome(s) the article itself is a triumph achievement and deserves to be treated as such regardless whether one chooses to agree, or disagree, with the actual information embedded on it. Past facts and findings we humans usually end up seeing what we want to see and hearing what we want to hear. In this regards the keris represented and still continues to represent a system of belief. I personally will most probably never look at a keris like I did before reading this article. Thank you.