PBX

[A. G. Maisey]

Thanks Kulino, typos can always happen.

Re your translation of "metal varieties", I assume you mean the various types of Wesi Aji?

In 1934 in Solo, "De Bliksem" published a little guide named "Wesiadji", that was a part of a much larger work which dealt with many aspects of the keris. "Wesiadji" lists the various types of iron and how to identify them, also, what offerings are appropriate for those types of iron, and what types of iron are good or bad. This purportedly came down to us from Panembahan di Karang, AKA Batara Moedik.
This 1934 edition was a romanised version of the original in hanacaraka that was published in 1928, again by "De Bliksem".
Are you aware of this publication?


In 1959 R.T. Waluyodipuro published "Dhuwung luwin Ubarampe saha Lalajenganipun". This was in two parts, in the second part, dealing with pamor, and headed :- " Saking Babon Sanes , Babon Asli Saking Soerakarta" (freely:- "From original Surakarta Manuscripts") he deals with pamor quite intensively, the image below is an example of one of the pages from the book. I apologise for the quality of the image, but it is a photo of a photocopy that was made from a poorly preserved original. Still, I think it is clear enough? Is this similar to the pamor information your Ngayogyakarta friend advised you to refrain from making public?

Kulino, I would most respectfully suggest that in relation to the advice of your friend from Ngayogyakarta, you may care to apply the basic principles of understanding that are appropriate to all dealings within Javanese relationships.

Personally I find it rather strange that an Abdi Dalem of the Karaton Ngayogyakarta should presume to tender advice that contravenes the wishes of somebody connected to the Karaton Surakarta, in respect of a document which originated from Surakarta. Let us not forget that Ngayogyakarta is the junior House of the Mataram Line, even if they do have some pretty inflated opinions. Admitted, in recent times Ngayogyakarta has exercised considerable political power, and Surakarta has had its own internal problems, but these two factors do not obliterate the historical truth and the true order of the world.