New book about keris

Marcokeris · 8th August 2006, 03:31 PM

I'm a new member. I live in Italy and my English is not so good.
Last week I was in Indonesia where i bought a new book about keris. The book is "KERIS JAWA: Antara Mistik dan Nalar" written by Haryono Haryoguritno and is really fantastic!!!
For me it is the best book never edit about keris (the book that every collector dreams to have). It is in Bahasa language, only about Yogya and Solo keris but full of beautiful photos and pictures

Alam Shah · 8th August 2006, 05:30 PM

Hi Marcokeris, welcome to the forum.

A nice book indeed. I've partially read the book... a thick book with excellent quality pictures and many high quality kerises featured. Coupled with Ensiklopedi Keris by Bambang Harisnuksmo would cover quite a lot of info about Javanese kerisses.

I believe, currently the English version is being translated and would be made available. When? I don't know.

The cost of the book is quite hefty but the contents and quality of print is of a high standard.

Rick · 8th August 2006, 07:19 PM

Well, we needed a first post and this is a good one to start with .

I can't wait for an English translation of this work .
Where can the Ensiklopedi be purchased ?
Could someone PM me please ?

Rick

Alam Shah · 9th August 2006, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Well, we needed a first post and this is a good one to start with .

I can't wait for an English translation of this work .
Where can the Ensiklopedi be purchased ?
Could someone PM me please ?

Rick

The official site to order the book, currently in Bahasa Indonesia only.
Keris Jawa - antara mistik dan nalar.
http://www.indonesiankeris.com/id_book.htm

Ensiklopedi Keris (This book is in Bahasa Indonesia only).
http://www.ethnographicartbooks.com/...=9737529.12698
or
http://www.gramedia.com/buku_detail....EFRP2900&kat=3
or
another place where you could get it, (cheaper).

PM me if you're interested.

For our reference, please.

mross · 8th August 2006, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alam Shah

Hi Marcokeris, welcome to the forum.

A nice book indeed. I've partially read the book... a thick book with excellent quality pictures and many high quality kerises featured. Coupled with Ensiklopedi Keris by Bambang Harisnuksmo would cover quite a lot of info about Javanese kerisses.

I believe, currently the English version is being translated and would be made available. When? I don't know.

The cost of the book is quite hefty but the contents and quality of print is of a high standard.

An english version sounds great. Alam, do you know what version, if memory serves me and it may not, there is a black version and another with the black one being the prefered. Anyone hear this?

Alam Shah · 9th August 2006, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mross

An english version sounds great. Alam, do you know what version, if memory serves me and it may not, there is a black version and another with the black one being the prefered. Anyone hear this?

Are you talking about the Ensiklopedi Keris? Yes, this hardcover book is black in color with over 600 pages with a blueish front cover. But only available in the indonesian language.

A. G. Maisey · 9th August 2006, 03:45 AM

The book, "Keris Jawa, Antara Mystik dan Nalar" is the best keris book I have ever seen.

The production is better than good. It is excellent.

The information contained in the text is from one of the foremost authorities on the Javanese keris. This does not mean that this information is not open to debate, but it does mean that the point of view put forward is accepted by many people and can be substantiated.

The quality of the photographs is wonderful.

The drawings appear to be computer enhancements (I`m guessing here), because they seem to be simply too good for just drawings.

I was given a copy a couple of weeks ago, and have read up to about page 80---still another 300 odd pages to go. This book weighs 3 kilos (6.6 pounds)

I have just checked the link and I see that the price is RP1.000.000, or about $US100, before the 10% tax. This is not expensive for a book of this quality, in fact, I regard it as very, very cheap. Even at twice this price it would still be a great buy.Just for comparison:- when Ensiklopedi first came out, it cost the same :- RP. 1.000.000, and the quality of production of Ensiklopedi is nowhere near the quality of this new book.

For people who cannot read Indonesian, the pictures alone are worth more than the cost of this book.

Its a great book and a landmark in publishing on the keris.

Alam Shah · 9th August 2006, 05:46 AM

Agreed with Alan Maisey on many counts regarding the book.

The photographs of keris are excellent, (even the wood grains can be seen clearly).

Imo, if one have zero knowledge about the keris, by the end of reading the book, we'll probably have a new keris collector. If he/she is already one, then it should increase the appreciation of kerises.

8th August 2006, 03:31 PM	#1
Marcokeris Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Italy Posts: 928	New book about keris I'm a new member. I live in Italy and my English is not so good. Last week I was in Indonesia where i bought a new book about keris. The book is "KERIS JAWA: Antara Mistik dan Nalar" written by Haryono Haryoguritno and is really fantastic!!! For me it is the best book never edit about keris (the book that every collector dreams to have). It is in Bahasa language, only about Yogya and Solo keris but full of beautiful photos and pictures

8th August 2006, 05:30 PM	#2
Alam Shah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,248	Good Book... Hi Marcokeris, welcome to the forum. A nice book indeed. I've partially read the book... a thick book with excellent quality pictures and many high quality kerises featured. Coupled with Ensiklopedi Keris by Bambang Harisnuksmo would cover quite a lot of info about Javanese kerisses. I believe, currently the English version is being translated and would be made available. When? I don't know. The cost of the book is quite hefty but the contents and quality of print is of a high standard.

8th August 2006, 07:19 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,290	Hijacked To The Coffee Shop Well, we needed a first post and this is a good one to start with . I can't wait for an English translation of this work . Where can the Ensiklopedi be purchased ? Could someone PM me please ? Rick

9th August 2006, 03:45 AM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,877	The book, "Keris Jawa, Antara Mystik dan Nalar" is the best keris book I have ever seen. The production is better than good. It is excellent. The information contained in the text is from one of the foremost authorities on the Javanese keris. This does not mean that this information is not open to debate, but it does mean that the point of view put forward is accepted by many people and can be substantiated. The quality of the photographs is wonderful. The drawings appear to be computer enhancements (I`m guessing here), because they seem to be simply too good for just drawings. I was given a copy a couple of weeks ago, and have read up to about page 80---still another 300 odd pages to go. This book weighs 3 kilos (6.6 pounds) I have just checked the link and I see that the price is RP1.000.000, or about $US100, before the 10% tax. This is not expensive for a book of this quality, in fact, I regard it as very, very cheap. Even at twice this price it would still be a great buy.Just for comparison:- when Ensiklopedi first came out, it cost the same :- RP. 1.000.000, and the quality of production of Ensiklopedi is nowhere near the quality of this new book. For people who cannot read Indonesian, the pictures alone are worth more than the cost of this book. Its a great book and a landmark in publishing on the keris. Last edited by A. G. Maisey; 9th August 2006 at 07:01 AM.

9th August 2006, 05:46 AM	#8
Alam Shah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,248	Agreed with Alan Maisey on many counts regarding the book. The photographs of keris are excellent, (even the wood grains can be seen clearly). Imo, if one have zero knowledge about the keris, by the end of reading the book, we'll probably have a new keris collector. If he/she is already one, then it should increase the appreciation of kerises.