The visible part of gonjo when Keris sheathed

Gustav · 29th January 2010, 10:48 PM

Dear All,

I have a couple of questions regarding the visible part of gonjo, "looking" out of the sheath (at Keris Bugis).

May I ask for some criteria (how much is allowed to be visible, how differs (if at all) this in different regions)?

I have two examples, for whom I am unsure: both fit not bad, but is the visible part not to big? Is the bottom-line of gonjo and the bottom line of sampir still with in the boundaries?

And now to something completely different

There is this old Photo of a Balinese. The Gonjo is "looking" out of the sheath. Do you have seen something similar on some of your balinese kerisses? (Of course there is the question if the sheath is original.)

Regards

BluErf · 30th January 2010, 02:23 AM

Hi,

In general, kerises, esp Malay kerises from the Peninsula, have more of the ganja sticking out. But in general, the line joining the ganja and the blade should not rise above the sheath. On the Sumatra side, there are also Malay kerises showing the ganja, but not as much.

For Bugis kerises, they tend to be flush, or rise a bit above the sheath. Your Sulawesi example (1st one) showing slightly more ganja than we usually see for a Sulawesi Bugis keris (I have a Buton keris, Buton is a small island South of main Sulawesi island, which has a ganja that sticks out even more than yours). However, from what I see, this keris is well-fitted to the sheath, and looks quite nice actually. I would not recommend refitting the keris. For the Sumatran example, I think it is well acceptable too.

Another factor to consider is also the age of the sheath. With repeated drawing and sheathing, the mouth of the sheath wears down, and the blade would gradually sit lower and lower into the sheath.

BluErf · 30th January 2010, 02:36 AM

Malay Peninsula e.g.

BluErf · 30th January 2010, 02:38 AM

Sumatran e.g.

BluErf · 30th January 2010, 02:39 AM

Sulawesi e.g.

Unusual Buton e.g. is at the bottom.

David · 30th January 2010, 02:58 AM

I could be wrong, bit AFAIK Gustav, the Bali keris you show an example of would be considered a bad fit. I believe that the Balinese tradition should have the gonjo flush to the top of the sheath.

Gavin Nugent · 2nd February 2010, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gustav

There is this old Photo of a Balinese. The Gonjo is "looking" out of the sheath. Do you have seen something similar on some of your balinese kerisses? (Of course there is the question if the sheath is original.)

Regards

This Bali Keris sits proud of the scabbard and it is an original piece.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=painted+bali

Thanks

Gav

29th January 2010, 10:48 PM	#1
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,249	The visible part of gonjo when Keris sheathed Dear All, I have a couple of questions regarding the visible part of gonjo, "looking" out of the sheath (at Keris Bugis). May I ask for some criteria (how much is allowed to be visible, how differs (if at all) this in different regions)? I have two examples, for whom I am unsure: both fit not bad, but is the visible part not to big? Is the bottom-line of gonjo and the bottom line of sampir still with in the boundaries? And now to something completely different There is this old Photo of a Balinese. The Gonjo is "looking" out of the sheath. Do you have seen something similar on some of your balinese kerisses? (Of course there is the question if the sheath is original.) Regards Attached Images

30th January 2010, 02:36 AM	#3
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Malay Peninsula e.g. Attached Images

30th January 2010, 02:38 AM	#4
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Sumatran e.g. Attached Images

30th January 2010, 02:39 AM	#5
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Sulawesi e.g. Unusual Buton e.g. is at the bottom. Attached Images

30th January 2010, 02:23 AM	#2
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Hi, In general, kerises, esp Malay kerises from the Peninsula, have more of the ganja sticking out. But in general, the line joining the ganja and the blade should not rise above the sheath. On the Sumatra side, there are also Malay kerises showing the ganja, but not as much. For Bugis kerises, they tend to be flush, or rise a bit above the sheath. Your Sulawesi example (1st one) showing slightly more ganja than we usually see for a Sulawesi Bugis keris (I have a Buton keris, Buton is a small island South of main Sulawesi island, which has a ganja that sticks out even more than yours). However, from what I see, this keris is well-fitted to the sheath, and looks quite nice actually. I would not recommend refitting the keris. For the Sumatran example, I think it is well acceptable too. Another factor to consider is also the age of the sheath. With repeated drawing and sheathing, the mouth of the sheath wears down, and the blade would gradually sit lower and lower into the sheath.

30th January 2010, 02:58 AM	#6
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,124	I could be wrong, bit AFAIK Gustav, the Bali keris you show an example of would be considered a bad fit. I believe that the Balinese tradition should have the gonjo flush to the top of the sheath.