Old Tajung Keris(es?)

[A. G. Maisey]

Pretty impressive.

In Indonesian and Malay the plural of 'keris' is "keris-keris", or in the old form "keris2".

But we're using English here so I reckon "kerises" is just fine.

[Marcokeris]

NICE collection !!

[David]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

In Indonesian and Malay the plural of 'keris' is "keris-keris", or in the old form "keris2".

But we're using English here so I reckon "kerises" is just fine.

I think Alan is probably correct here since he knows much more about Indonesian languages than i do, but in English i have always just used "keris" as the plural of keris much the same way that moose, sheep or shrimp are the same both singularly and plural.
A fine collection of keris tajong indeed. Never found the right one at the right price and since they are a bit outside my usual interest in keris other thing have taken priority. It does seem to me that the focus of interest for those who collect these is far more directed on the dress (specifically the hilts) than the blades themselves.

[Jean]

Originally Posted by David

I think Alan is probably correct here since he knows much more about Indonesian languages than i do, but in English i have always just used "keris" as the plural of keris much the same way that moose, sheep or shrimp are the same both singularly and plural.

I can't check my reference books for now but I seem to have read "krisses" as the plural of "kris" in many books written in English such as those from Frey and Van Duuren?
Regards

[David]

Originally Posted by Jean

I can't check my reference books for now but I seem to have read "krisses" as the plural of "kris" in many books written in English such as those from Frey and Van Duuren?
Regards

Yep, i've certainly seen that spelling. But frankly it sounds funny, like you are lisping when you say it. I'll stick to plural keris myself under i find a point where it doesn't proper communicate what i am trying to say. Just my own 2 keris there...

[A. G. Maisey]

Actually David, I use "keris" as the plural form also. I probably should use "kris" as the correct English spelling, but I'd sooner not. However, as Jean has said, a lot of keris-literate writers in English use "kerises" or "krises". In any case, we can always get around the problem with sentence construction.

[Gavin Nugent]

1 keris, 2 keris, 3 keris more, look at all those keris....keris it is....

[A. G. Maisey]

One a Krissy, two a Krissy, three a Krissy, four
Krissy dressed in tight blue jeans,
Knocking on my door.
Come in little Krissy,
Don't stand there in rain,
I've had a Krissy once before
And I'd like to once again.

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by David

It does seem to me that the focus of interest for those who collect these is far more directed on the dress (specifically the hilts) than the blades themselves.

By large I agree David, but the blades, although not a pamor type which is so often the allure of a good keris, the blades from this region are often so very interesting and extremely well constructed with beautiful "lava" like crucible steel cores, well defined differential steel edges and an array of differential heat treating throughout.

In the proper finish, they can look quite spectacular.

Gavin

[Laowang]

Originally Posted by David

It does seem to me that the focus of interest for those who collect these is far more directed on the dress (specifically the hilts) than the blades themselves.

According to contemporary Peninsular & Singaporean collectors, a tajong is defined by the dress (both hilt and sheath), so in the absence of proper dress, it isn't a tajong, but rather a pandai saras blade, or a carita blade, or whatever.

I agree with Gavin that in general the blades dressed as tajong are of generally good quality, unlike the middling to poor quality blades that are often found in coteng dress. Peninsular blades lack contrasting pamor, but they are typically well-forged, with good detail work. It's not uncommon to find a better quality carita blade in tajong dress.

Thanks for posting these images, kyoba84, I'm deeply envious of your collection.

[Laowang]

Tajong with a pandai saras blade, in the collection of the Asian Civilizations Museum.

[Laowang]

Tajong with a carita blade, in the collection of the Asian Civilizations Museum.