The Burial of Ghosts

[Jim McDougall]

While the world of the keris among many other weapon forms of these and SE Asian regions are far beyond my field of study, the one key figure in the study of the keris I do know, is Alan Maisey.

I also know that he is one of the most incredibly modest scholars I have ever known, and probably will take me to task for saying so, but I am compelled to respond here and add to Gav's beautifully worded entry.

In the many years I have known Alan (many! the single thing that has stood out the most is one most important to me, integrity. In these years he always has gone out of his way to assist me in my never ending quest to learn about obscure facts in weapons study, and openly shared from his vast store of knowledge. In many cases he thoughtfully extended new information pertaining to something I had been pursuing, even years after the original question. One of the greatest compliments I have ever received was from him when advising me of items in a recently released publication he knew I would read , with his own annotations, recognizing my penchant for accuracy and detail in my studies.

In cases where his words were challenged, it is not his style to succumb to the mediocre provocation of individuals trying to assert thier 'superior' knowledge at his expense. Responding in kind would only demean his stature and be entirely against his grain.

It is one thing to wish to learn more on something being noted by politely asking for more information on sources, but to imply or openly claim that statements made by a scholar such as Mr. Maisey are less than genuinely correct, is patently discourteous and says more about the perpetrator himself.

I do not know the details of the interaction being discussed, but I do know Alan Maisey, and wanted to note proudly that I'm glad I do.

Respectfully,
Jim