The Burial of Ghosts

Jim McDougall · 9th October 2010, 04:23 PM

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

A. G. Maisey · 9th October 2010, 10:52 PM

Thank you for the vote of confidence, gentlemen, and for your compliments --- probably undeserved.

Gavin, in respect of any possible future publication, I have only one thing to say:- don't hold your breath.

I have been urged for many years to "write a book", the first attempt to get me to do so was more than 40 years ago, when Ken Trotman was involved in the urging.

I will never attempt to write any book. Production of a book takes a very committed effort over a long period of time, and a lot of money. I have neither the time, nor the money, and when I consider what I have, and that could be published, that could add positively to the base of knowledge, I doubt that I have the commitment.

However, I have produced a few articles, at least one of which can probably be considered to be a positive contribution, and I do have another couple of articles planned.

Montino Bourbon · 12th October 2010, 04:29 AM

Where is it?

It's not like I'm impatient or anything... It's that any article by a person that I consider to be at the very least one of the greatest authorities on keris is something that I want to read... NOW!!!

A. G. Maisey · 12th October 2010, 04:59 AM

These have been around for a long time:-

http://www.kerisattosanaji.com/kerisinformation.html

scroll down to "on-line references"

The "origin" thing is possibly important; before this you could get an argument anytime if you started to talk about where keris came from. Nobody argues any more.

12th October 2010, 04:29 AM	#3
Montino Bourbon Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 301	The article!!!! Where is it? It's not like I'm impatient or anything... It's that any article by a person that I consider to be at the very least one of the greatest authorities on keris is something that I want to read... NOW!!!

9th October 2010, 04:23 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	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

9th October 2010, 10:52 PM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,991	Thank you for the vote of confidence, gentlemen, and for your compliments --- probably undeserved. Gavin, in respect of any possible future publication, I have only one thing to say:- don't hold your breath. I have been urged for many years to "write a book", the first attempt to get me to do so was more than 40 years ago, when Ken Trotman was involved in the urging. I will never attempt to write any book. Production of a book takes a very committed effort over a long period of time, and a lot of money. I have neither the time, nor the money, and when I consider what I have, and that could be published, that could add positively to the base of knowledge, I doubt that I have the commitment. However, I have produced a few articles, at least one of which can probably be considered to be a positive contribution, and I do have another couple of articles planned.

12th October 2010, 04:59 AM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,991	These have been around for a long time:- http://www.kerisattosanaji.com/kerisinformation.html scroll down to "on-line references" The "origin" thing is possibly important; before this you could get an argument anytime if you started to talk about where keris came from. Nobody argues any more.