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Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey
Yeah, there are a number of stories surrounding Ki Nom.
They might all be true.
However, my personal opinion is that Ki Nom was not a single person, but two, or possibly even three people, who were either father and son, or teacher and pupil--- father and son is more likely.
In early Javanese literary works it is often difficult to determine exactly who the person is who is being written about, and what the relationship of one person to another is. For instance in the Nagara-kertagama it is often unclear whether the poet is writing in reference to himself, or in reference to his father. As you are probably aware there are many instances in the matter of relationships where academics in this field have debated long and hard about exactly who is who and what that person's relationship was to another.
Very little is cut and dry.
This being so, and considering the traditional version of Ki Nom's life, his appearance in many places, and his exceptional age, I am inclined to believe that our Ki Nom was a composite.
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THE SON OF SUPAMANDRANGI
The story on this Supamandrangi’s son named Jaka Supa (Ki Nom is one of his several names) is always interesting to me. I like very much kerises which are attributed to him. The works of Ki Nom (means The Young One, although this name was attributed to him during his last days in this world) is always fascinating to me: .. slim, beautiful, artistic, and attractive dhapur (I like “his” megantara dhapur – combination of luks in bottom and middle part of the blade, and straight on top of the blade). He crafted well his “kruwingan” (?) almost until top of the blade… (Pictures: style attributed to Ki Nom, megantara keris and pucuk tombak or spear’s tip with dhapur puthut megantara)
His work on “sekar kacang” (?), is mostly unique: “pogok” (it seems like half of normal sekar kacang) but not ordinary pogok – like a cock’s head, with cockscomb and small beak in the end of that pogok sekar kacang – and “minimalist” in pamor. (Mostly “kelengan” or all black material, or very minimal “beras wutah”, like small scattered spots of beras wutah).
The ganja? He liked ganjawulung (all-black ganja), in “wilud” or “kelap lintah” model (ganja with five luks?). Usually with “gelung” (bun, curve) in the end of the “greneng”. Beautiful style, but not too luxurious in pamor… Although slim in form, Ki Nom’s blade doesn’t give impression of weak blade.
(Alan, please critized me if this story is too imaginative). Like his father, Empu Supamandrangi of Majapahit kingdom, Jaka Supa liked travelling too. He liked moving from one place to another, for making keris. Look at this story on his father:
Through ascetism in Tuban (East Java), his name was Empu Rambang. He then served to king in Majapahit, then his name was changed to Supamandrangi. A name, that was given by his king. When he was sent to Blambangan (South-eastern Java) by his king to seek the lost pusaka of Majapahit kingdom named Kiai Sengkelat, Supamandrangi changed name as Empu Pitrang during his journey. With his younger brother, Empu Supagati, he had made some kerises during the journey, with dhapurs Kidang Soka (9 luks), Carang Soka (7 luks), Pandawa (5 luks), Sempaner (straight keris but with sekar kacang), Tilamupih (straight keris, without sekar kacang) and straight dhapur of pasupati… After came to Blambangan, then Supamandrangi changed his name as Empu Rambang. He was very wellknown, but it was also said as: good looking in appearance. Not surprisingly, he had a woman in Blambangan, and got a son from her, named Jaka Sura.
When he returned to Majapahit, Supamandrangi was given a honorary position, and was given a noble title as Pangeran Sedayu or Prince Sedayu and married to the daughter of the king. It was told, that he was given by his king, land of 500 karya (?) in Sedayu…
J a k a S u p a
Jaka Supa was the name of the son of Pangeran Sedayu with the king’s daughter. (Brother with Jaka Sura, but from different wife of Blambangan). Jaka Supa then became Empu in Demak kingdom (in the northern coast of Central Java), bearing name of Jaka Supa. Not long stayed in Demak, Jaka Supa then travelled to East Java, crossed the straight and dwelled in the island of Madura, changed name as Empu Macan. (Macan, means “tiger”). Still in the period of Demak kingdom.
Empu Macan alias Jaka Supa, not stayed long in Madura. He then moved to Surabaya in the northern coast of East Java, again – changed named as Empu Kodok. Still, in the period of Demak kingdom. Then came, the period of Pajang kingdom, before the Islamic Mataram, or “Mataram Part 2.” (Mataram part 1 was Hindhu Mataram).
Empu Kodok alias Empu Macan, alias Empu Jaka Supa, then moved to Pajang. It was said, that he stayed in Ngenden, Lawiyan (now South-western of Solo). He made kerises, with “bigger” style. He was named as Empu Ki Galeng, because he made his kerises in paddy-field, or rice field. (Galeng means borders of paddy field).
The works of Empu Ki Galeng were noticed by the king of Pajang, Hadiwijaya. Then, Ki Galeng was called by king of Pajang, and then given a honorary position as the head of “mantri pande” (minister of keris making) of Pajang. The king honored him, with a special name as Empu Oemyang or Umyang. According to legend, it was told, when one of his keris was stabbed to someone, the victim was “ngomyang” (raving?).
Politicking among the empus, among the ministers of keris making in the kingdom, resulted the expulsion of Empu Umyang. Then, Empu Umyang went to East Java, and stayed in Madiun. He then changed again his name, as Empu Tundhung Madiun. (Tundhung, means expulsion).
Not for long time, from Madiun then Empu Tundhung Madiun alias Empu Umyang, alias Empu Ki Galeng, alias Empu Macan, alias Empu Kodok alias Empu Jaka Supa, then moved again and stayed quite a long time in Kudus, Central Java. In Kudus (not far from the site of Demak kingdom), he used name as Empu Tundhung (only).
During the reign of Sultan Agung Hanyakrakusuma – the golden era of Islamic Mataram kingdom – Empu Tundhung moved to Mataram. At that time, Sultan Agung wanted to make iron cannons for his artilery army in attacking the Dutch in Batavia (Jakarta now). He then invited many empus, to make cannons. There were, around 800 “mantri pande” (ministers of keris making) invited. They were called as “empu pekelun” (I don’t know the meaning of “pekelun” in English). Empu pekelun of 800 mantri pandes, was headed by Empu Tundhung.
The old and experienced Empu Tundhung, then was given a name by Sultan Agung as Empu Ki Supa Anom (The Forever Young). Or just say it as, Ki Nom. He was given a wife too by Sultan, a beautiful daughter of the Sultan. Then Ki Nom was awarded with noble title as Pangeran Sendang. He was awarded too, lands of 200 karya…
Ganjawulung (from several sources)