YOUNGER Keris

[Marcokeris]

Hallo Ganja
I remember the place! I was there some years ago....the keris maker had a big piece of (he said) meteoric stone ... very, very heavy (i took a photo but i don't remember where is now).
I remember a nice trip by car with my family to go to Kusamba along fields and fields and fields completely full of coloured flowers (for Bali's ceremonies)...nice!!

[A. G. Maisey]

Yes, Pak Pauzan always kept records.

Some of more elaborate keris he made were superb works of art.

However, no matter how good Pak Pauzan's keris work may have been, he will be remembered as one of nature's gentlemen. I have known Pak Pauzan and his wife since 1974, and I have never known him to be less than a perfect gentleman, and a most decent and honorable man. He is one of the very few people in whom I am prepared to place 100% trust.

I have a copy of Pandameling Duwung too, which I had translated. In fact, I have copies of all the books on keris that are in the Mangkunegaraan Library, and those in caraka script I have had translated to Indonesian.

[ganjawulung]

Originally Posted by Marcokeris

I remember a nice trip by car with my family to go to Kusamba along fields and fields and fields completely full of coloured flowers (for Bali's ceremonies)...nice!!

Yes, Marco, it is the same besalen you've seen. Pande Ktut Mudra is the son of Pande Mangku Wija -- the offspring of one great Balinese empu in the past in Banjar Pande, Kusamba. The name of the "banjar" (specific neighborhood association in every kampung in Bali), which bears name "pande" (smith) indicates that in the past this banjar were the place of Balinese keris smith. And usually, the offspring of Balinese empu also wears name "Pande", as does the owner of Keris Museum in Bali, Pande Wayan Sutedja Neka (I think he's been photographed by someone in Nusa's post 'KERIS EXHIBITION').

And I think you've been here too, Marco (please see the pic below). Another besalen, but in Gatak village, in Sumberagung, Moyudan, Sleman Jogjakarta. The besalen of the late Empu Djenoharumbrodjo -- the last offspring (15th descent) of Majapahit empu, Supo Anom. He died in 2006, he had not been married until his last day in this world. Now Pak Sungkowo (picture) below, his nephew, is continuing the work for the late Empu Djeno...

Both -- Pande Mangku Wija in Bali and also the late Empu Djeno Harumbrodjo -- had been revived to make kerises (after the family tradition had ceased for years) by Dietrich Drescher...

Ganjawulung

[Newsteel]

Great pictures guys. This is refreshing! Taking a younger or newly made keris up on the stage.

I understand there are keris exhibition and competition going on at Indonesia. Maybe Pak ganjawulung can show us some good pics. I received this picture from an email from Indonesian keris collectors and friends. I am very impressed by this new made betok.

[A. G. Maisey]

Now where have I seen that before??

[ganjawulung]

Originally Posted by Newsteel

I understand there are keris exhibition and competition going on at Indonesia. Maybe Pak ganjawulung can show us some good pics. I received this picture from an email from Indonesian keris collectors and friends. I am very impressed by this new made betok.

Hi Newsteel,
I saw that betok with "pamor poleng" in the keris exhibition in Bentara Budaya, Jakarta on last August 12-16. Yes, it was made by Pak Pauzan Puspasukadgo, but owned by a Jakarta collector.

There were around 200 blades or more, exhibited in the main hall. Consists of 60 percent new era kerises, and 40 percent "reference" kerises (old kerises). But the "selling section" in two halls -- was a very special attraction too. There were more than 100 kerises "for sale" (some in normal prices, but many of them with higher prices than normal) -- in more than 16 selling tables...

Unfortunately, I didn't take many photos of kerises behind the glass boxes in the main exhibition halls (not for sale). But I took some snapshots on the "selling corner" as you may see in the pics below... (The bearded gentleman with white cap, is Mr Haryono Guritno -- the writer of "Keris Jawa" book).

Ganjawulung

[ganjawulung]

Dear All,

During the "new era" (kamardikan) keris exhibition in Bentara Budaya, Jakarta on August 2008, we have some special keris guests, Mrs & Mr Bronwen and Garrett Solyom (as you may see in the picture below). Of course, the authors of "The World of the Javanese Keris" (1978) gave a keris lecture to the Jakarta audience. Interesting lecture.

One month earlier, Dietrich Drescher also came to Bentara Budaya -- an art Centre owned by a daily newspaper -- informal meeting with some Jakarta keris lovers. And of course, a "special" wayang gift for the German gentleman who once encouraged some "sleeping" keris-maker families in Jawa, to get up and making keris again...

Ganjawulung

[ganjawulung]

The Danish "Kriskdisk" author, Karsten Sejr Jensen (and wife) also came to Jakarta, only a couple days before the keris Exhibition. You may see their picture, when they visited Mr Haryono Guritno -- the author of "Keris Jawa" book. Friendly conversation on a friendly visit, of course...

Ganjawulung

[ganjawulung]

Back to younger style of kerises, here is a new design of a keris with dhapur of "Cengkrong with luk", created by Ki Sukamdi -- solonese keris maker. Not yet stained with warangan. It is just "fresh from the oven"...

Ganjawulung