FIGURAL HILTS -- Bird (Demon)

[ganjawulung]

Dear All,

One type of figural hilts I sought much, is "tajong" hilt. Hopefully, I didn't get the wrong exampe. Or, is this "touristic" item?

What I am eager to know is the philosophy behind the motive, why bird or demon-bird? Regarding the form of beak, is it White-collared Kingfisher (Halcyon chloris), Black-capped Kingfisher (Halcyon pileata), Stork-billed Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis)? But I think it is not Blue-eared Kingfisher (Alcedo meninting) or Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)...

[David]

Ganja, i am not too sure that it is any kind of bird at all. I think some answers might be found in the wayang.

[Rick]

Post # 6
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=tajong

[David]

Good link Rick, but i notice that Ganja was in on that thread so i would imagine this info is not new to him.

[ganjawulung]

Originally Posted by David

Ganja, i am not too sure that it is any kind of bird at all. I think some answers might be found in the wayang.

Bird-headed deity? I don't find any figure such this in wayang world (it might be long nosed creature with teeth and fang). Jatayu -- in Ramayana epic, was really giant-bird, son of Garuda which saved Sinta (the wife of Rama) from demon king, Rawana... In Indian version, Jatayu is the Vulture King.

Originally Posted by Rick

Post # 6
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=tajong

Thanks alot Rick, to remind me to the old thread. But it is likely I found another style of "tajong" hilt (or not tajong?), with hand-position like Jawa-demam. One with crossed-hand, and the other -- with different form of beak -- with its hands in its knees.. The second one is more bird-like figure.

[Alam Shah]

Originally Posted by ganjawulung

... But it is likely I found another style of "tajong" hilt (or not tajong?), with hand-position like Jawa-demam. One with crossed-hand, and the other -- with different form of beak -- with its hands in its knees.. The second one is more bird-like figure.

Hi Pak Jimmy,
These seems to be Lampung, Sumatra type hilts.

[Alam Shah]

Originally Posted by ganjawulung

Dear All,

One type of figural hilts I sought much, is "tajong" hilt. Hopefully, I didn't get the wrong exampe. Or, is this "touristic" item?

Yes, it is a 'Tajong' hilt but I don't think it's of a Northern Malaysian origin. The motifs and aesthetics are not the typical design. Let's wait for Kai Wee to comment.

[ganjawulung]

Originally Posted by Alam Shah

Yes, it is a 'Tajong' hilt but I don't think it's of a Northern Malaysian origin. The motifs and aesthetics are not the typical design. Let's wait for Kai Wee to comment.

Dear Shahrial,

Thank you, for the valuable explanation. If you don't mind, would you please post some pictures of the typical design of Tajong. I mean, the specific characteristics of Northern Malaysian or Pattani aesthetics. I think it will be good for me and other forumites to learn on this specific style in keris handle by comparing the difference...

[Alam Shah]

Ganjawulung,

Kindly have a look at Dave's article here:
Tajong of the Northern Malaysian Peninsular.

Recommended reading, "Spirit of Wood: The Art of Malay Woodcarving" book.

[ganjawulung]

Originally Posted by Alam Shah

Ganjawulung,

Kindly have a look at Dave's article here:
Tajong of the Northern Malaysian Peninsular.

Recommended reading, "Spirit of Wood: The Art of Malay Woodcarving" book.

Dear Shahrial,

Thanks a lot, for your recomendation. I've look at the site in the web, and I've found it is indeed very useful information for me. And below, it is just an intermezzo, photo of a "souvenir like" sumatran hilt, with strange ornament (lizard?) above the demon-bird figure's head...

[BluErf]

I guess thread #6 is a good refresher.

But I must say the carvers in Indonesia is getting better! The form is correct, although still a bit stiff, but the motifs are way off. The wood is not any of the traditional types used to carve tajong. I'm not sure if its Malaysian wood in the first place.

But anyway, things have come full circle - the garuda/rashaksa hilts originally from Java, that travelled up Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia to evolve into the tajong, has now "returned home".