New keris

[nechesh]

I'd like to wish you all good luck finding your next keris pusaka on eBay!

[Boedhi Adhitya]

To assess/judge quality of something, we must understand how those things were made, the material and process used, and what the really purpose of those things. This also apply to keris. Contrary to common belief, judging a pusaka keris, firstly, is a very rational process. After that, you should use your own "feeling". No dukuns and incenses involved

First of all, about the making process and materials used.
One of the important processes in keris making is "mewasuh besi". wasuh=basuh=cuci=to wash/clean. This is the first step in forging pusaka. We all know, the ancient iron produced by smelting, and had a lot of impurities inside. The empu drove off the impurities by layering the iron (heating the bar, elongated it, fold it back, welding it, repeating the process for many times). Remember though, this process done before the iron mixed with the pamor. Basically, the empu was making a very pure iron. It takes a lot of effort and a good materials, and seem to be skipped if the empu just made an ageman keris. Empu Djeno said, it takes 12-14kg iron just to make a single keris, not to mentions the steel and pamor materials, if he followed the process used by Empu Pangeran Sedayu / Supo Mandrangi, the famous empu of Majapahit. The characteristics of clean iron, amongs others, are: withstand the high/welding temperature and giving little sparks in this bright-yellow temperature, resilient, and withstand the corrosion. Having the pure iron is very important, not only technically (that is, giving resilient and corrosion-resistant characteristics to the blade, as a weapon) but also esoterically (empu Jeno said, his prayer would be more easily "answered" and "get into" the blade if he works on this iron), and philosophically (which we may discuss later). On the finished blades, there are 3 classes/categories of this "clean" irons : Nyabak = look like sabak=batu tulis=slate, that is, smooth, clean and dense iron. This would be the minimal iron's quality for pusaka keris; Nyerat=serat=fibrous iron, better quality blades ; gulali = look like gula-gula/candy/melting sugar, the best quality iron/blades. Identifying this "clean iron" would be the most important point in assessing pusaka. Just remember then, the assessor must be able to discriminate the smooth-clean characteristic caused by polishing or by the iron itself.

After passing the "Iron exam", then we should examining how the pamor integrated to the iron. I believe, in better quality keris, the pamor material would also be "washed", just like the iron. The earthly iron symbolize the human, in this case, the owner of keris. Pamor then symbolize the heavenly fate, no matter where it came from (celestial or terrestial). Before "catching" and "unite" with the heavenly fate, the human-being should be "clean" spiritually. That why the "clean iron" is important philosophically. Pamor, in other case, should be integrated "properly" to the iron, according to the empu's intention. Many times, the empu fail to do it properly, just like Monet painting his water lotus series. While he painted over 200 paintings, only a few of them, he himself thought, as "properly" showing his intention.

Other exam would be the "garap", that is, how the ricikan (details) were made, and "guwaya", the overall looking of the keris. This exam involve your "feeling". Pusaka keris should have "personality". Haryono Guritno classified keris in 10 grades. the best would be "mahanani", came from "ana"=being, that is, a keris which is when unsheathed, the "aura" or "character" would be easily felt by any attendants in the room. Just like a good painting changing the "aura" of the room. Once again, need no dukun or incense here. Just your feeling.

Wish may help. Handling a pusaka by ourselves might means thousands words

Good hunting !

[Alam Shah]

Hi Boedhi,
Thank you for the interesting piece of information.

Haryono Guritno classified keris in 10 grades. the best would be "mahanani", came from "ana"=being, that is, a keris which is when unsheathed, the "aura" or "character" would be easily felt by any attendants in the room.

Is there pictures of these that you can share or point to other references? Is there any "Iron Exam" references to recommend? It would be useful to be able to identify them.

[Boedhi Adhitya]

Dear Mr. Alam shah,
I'm afraid I can not show you the pictures. Sorry. I've only seen 3-4 kerises with, I consider as having, "mahanani" qualities. None of them is mine I'm also afraid that the pictures will not "catch" the "mahanani" qualities, only the beauties. But I will try to manage to have those pictures.
Until now, I've found no book/chapter discussing specifically on iron exam. I've learnt the iron under guidance of elders. They show me a pieces, then they say "this what our ancestor called as 'nyabak' and this is 'nyerat'. Just look carefully and learn, then we discuss". If they didn't have the example, they would refer to others who have it, by saying "just go to Mr. X, and ask his permission to look at the Kyai Y. It has 'gulali' iron. watch carefully". Well, good and perfect pusakas are very rare. It takes years just to find one of them that being sold.

But internet is a powerful tools, you might learn something about ancient iron and steel manufacturing and some metalurgy, and you might also compare the katana-making process and keris-making process. Haryono Guritno himself now in process of publishing his book entitled "Keris Jawa, Antara Mitos dan Realita" (Javanese Keris, between the myth and reality). I believe this book will discuss many aspect of Java keris. IMHO, Guritno is wise enough by not trying to cover all keris cultures from archipelago / nusantara . Btw, 4 kerises' pictures I attached on previous posts might be considered as having "nyabak" iron. Hope this may help.

Since I've promised to share about how the esoteric works, then I would pay my "debt" now
esoteric consist of 3 aspects : philosophy, "tanjeg" and "tayuh". Philosophy would be the "bridge" between the exoteric and esoteric. "tanjeg" is the interpretation of keris's intention, as the empu intended to when he made the blade, by "feel"-ing the exoteric properties. "tayuh", is a "forum" where the owner could "feel" the keris "intention" (=power, if you wish), for example, by dreaming. I would only discuss the philosophy and tanjeg. no tayuh, please

Say, we have a common Tilam Upih keris, with the famous "Udan Mas" (golden rain) pamor, with good, black and shiny "nyabak' iron and perfect pamor. No flaw likes "nerjang landhep" (the pamor lunging/go through the steel edge) or "pegat waja" (broken steel/iron) or "pegat pamor" (broken/interupted pamor). It has a luwes (suppel) and calm-polite (sopan) looking/appearance (guwaya). Some worn out or corrosion is acceptable, though

Philosophically: the pesi (tang) symbolize the phallus, the ganja (with it's hole ) symbolize the yoni. Pesi and ganja thus symbolize the fertily or birth. That is, the beginning of life (of the owner, of course). The pejetan symbolize the "seed of life". Some also interpret it as "hard working" or "the job that had been done". Tikel alis ="folded eyebrow" = 2 eyebrows became one. How comes? It takes two person, man and woman, preferably If you find your partner, stick your eyebrows, and see what else you've been doing. Tikel alis symbolize loyalty and affection. Tilam=alas="bed sheet", upih=pelepah=might means "branch of a tree", likes coconut leaves. Tilam upih means = "sleeping with/on a 'pelepah' as a bed sheet. = to live a modest and humble life. Tilam upih might also call Tilam Pethak(=white)= white bedsheet = to live an honest life.
The blade itself symbolize the owners "path of life". Straight blade symbolize the straight, honest life. Luks means that the owners should avoid/evade every life's hindrance and temptations wisely. The point/tip is the owners end of life, the times when we meet our Creator (if you believe in one). The odd luk means "only your Creator know your fate. It is He who made it even"
Now, we can read this "book" : "May you have the prosperity in your life by works hard and living in a modest and humble life. Be honest and loyal for always. Show your affection to others and always remember and praise your Lord, The Creator. Just remember, all the living will dead, and so do you".

By looking to this keris, the owner who can read the messages, will understand. By look and watching it's beauty again and again, the owner will be suggested to practices "The Teaching". In the end, he may lives in a prosper life. That is a real "tuah" of keris.

If we treat it only as an amulet but never "read" it properly, we may only burnt the incense and spelling mantras likes "O, Great Kyai Tilam Upih, please bring prosperity to my life". But if treat it as "pusaka", we may unsheathed it, and let "the spirit/the teaching" of keris "absorbed" into our own spirit/mind. That's would be the meaning of "Jimat Ngucap, Pusaka Kandha".

The Tanjeg then, the overall interpretation of this keris derived from exoteric properties. In this case : "this tilam upih keris with pamor udan mas will help the owner to have a prosper life".
Please remember that I don't have all the answer. Many keris symbolistic language have lost, and it is a "living culture" which evolves all the times. I do not claim that this interpretation would be the same as the Majapahit era. And cultures, also, may vary.

Wish this post may help you.

Best regards,

Boedhi Adhitya.

[jor-el]

Dear Boedhi Adhitya,

i am glad that i read these lines. Somehow, i do not know why (perhaps due to spiritual and mind excercises from different aspects) i think this is the correct path. Many thanks for the posts.

BR,

Themis

[Alam Shah]

Dear Boedhi Adhitya,

Thank you for the thought provoking info.
It somehow makes sense. Thanks for sharing.

I'll be looking out for the book by Haryono Guritno. Do let us know when it's published.

[John]

Some interesting perspectives Boedhi and I'm particularly interested in your elaborations on certain keris parts/attributes like the peksi, ganga, tikel alis, tilam upih etc. Apparantly we're also along the same line in this respect at another forum which barely have progressed but perhaps you could also help in expanding the list and fill more. I guess there are further resources (brains) here to draw (pick) on too.

http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...hread&tid=1395

I'd agree the peksi represents the phallus and the ganja the female part and as a unit may be a representation of the Shiva lingam. If so, I'd say this is a representation of the absolute, call it God of you like for Shiva is the destroyer and the destroyer transcends duality represented by mergence of the male/female, positive/negative attributes. Brahma is more associated with birth, hence my reasoning opposite to that of yours since it's not Brahma oriented if indeed so. At this juncture, I'd say it's still a conjecture on my part.

Here's an example of the shiva lingam.

[purwacarita]

Btw, 4 kerises' pictures I attached on previous posts might be considered as having "nyabak" iron.

Nyabak = look like sabak=batu tulis=slate, that is, smooth, clean and dense iron. This would be the minimal iron's quality for pusaka keris;

...The first keris is the work of Supowinangun, the father of Empu Djeno Harumbrojo, the last living empu today. The keris was commisioned by KRT Puspodiningrat, The son of Prince Puspodiningrat, around 1930. Inherited by the owner today.

...The second is a keris once belongs to KGPA Mangkubumi, the eldest brother of Sultan Hamengkubuwono VII. It was commissioned by the Mangkubumi himself, and the work is done in his own workshop.

...The third is a keris once belongs to GPH Hangabehi, the eldest son of Sultan Hamengkubuwono VIII. Even so, this keris was made in Kraton Yogyakarta, commisioned by the Sultan Hamengkubuwono VII himself.

...This is a very rare dhapur, with elephant head wearing a crown as it's gandhik. I've only seen one and other piece reported to be exist in Jogjakarta Court, named "Kyai Gajahendra".

Hi. Do you know why pusaka keris belongs to great people and rare one only have minimal iron's quality? Is this some sort of gurindam?

[marto suwignyo]

I wish to complement Pak Boedi upon his clear presentation of the view of the keris held by many students of the keris in today`s Java.

He has opened a window on a uniquely modern Javanese style of thought that reflects some of the traditional elements of Kebatinan that contribute to Javanese mysticism and philosophy as this has developed during the second half of the 20th. Century.

However, as Pak Boedi himself points out, the point of view which he has presented is a point of view that has evolved within a living culture.

Further, it is a point of view which is not universally held within the greater body of Javanese culture, and it does not in any way represent the demonstrable history of the keris within Javanese culture.

As I remarked in an earlier post:-
"As an icon of Javanese society the keris has also changed through the years , and because of its ability to change it survives today, and will continue to survive as long as it can continue to change to fulfil the needs of the changing society and culture of which it is a part."

Pak Boedi has demonstrated beautifully the element of change that has taken place in the position of the keris in a segment of present day Javanese society, and provided a strong case for the continued existence of the keris as a part of that society.

I complement and honour Pak Boedi and his associates for their contribution to the continued development of our dynamic culture.