Is it a real Keris?

A. G. Maisey · 27th August 2024, 02:44 AM

As a weapon the keris is used as a stabbing weapon, it is usual that for most keris from most societies, no more than just the first couple of inches of the blade is hardened.

In respect of Javanese keris, the preferred method of use was the surprise attack from the side, in passing, or from the back; face to face combat was avoided & no system of fence was developed, when forced into use in a face to face situation, the keris was used as an addition to indigenous martial arts systems.

It might be noted, that indigenous Javanese martial arts systems rely heavily upon the element of surprise, the Javanese philosophy of personal combat is that combat should be avoided at all cost, & never engaged in except upon one's own choice of time & place.

The keris was never, at any time, a weapon of war, but most Javanese in ancient times would carry at least one keris into a battle situation, & sometimes as many as three. In the battle context the keris was a weapon of last resort that hopefully never was used, but by its presence did offer a level of spiritual protection.

Older blades become thin over time because of the continual cleaning over hundreds of years.

In the early 19th century, Raffles recorded that since about 1750, the position of the keris in Javanese society had been similar to the position of the small sword in European society, that is, as an item of dress that might very occasionally be called upon to serve as a weapon.

The position of the keris in the various SE Asian societies that adopted its use varies, in some societies it was thought of primarily as a weapon, in others the way in which it was thought of was socio-religious. However, I believe that in all keris bearing societies there was & is a spiritual element attached to the keris.

27th August 2024, 02:44 AM	#13
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,890	As a weapon the keris is used as a stabbing weapon, it is usual that for most keris from most societies, no more than just the first couple of inches of the blade is hardened. In respect of Javanese keris, the preferred method of use was the surprise attack from the side, in passing, or from the back; face to face combat was avoided & no system of fence was developed, when forced into use in a face to face situation, the keris was used as an addition to indigenous martial arts systems. It might be noted, that indigenous Javanese martial arts systems rely heavily upon the element of surprise, the Javanese philosophy of personal combat is that combat should be avoided at all cost, & never engaged in except upon one's own choice of time & place. The keris was never, at any time, a weapon of war, but most Javanese in ancient times would carry at least one keris into a battle situation, & sometimes as many as three. In the battle context the keris was a weapon of last resort that hopefully never was used, but by its presence did offer a level of spiritual protection. Older blades become thin over time because of the continual cleaning over hundreds of years. In the early 19th century, Raffles recorded that since about 1750, the position of the keris in Javanese society had been similar to the position of the small sword in European society, that is, as an item of dress that might very occasionally be called upon to serve as a weapon. The position of the keris in the various SE Asian societies that adopted its use varies, in some societies it was thought of primarily as a weapon, in others the way in which it was thought of was socio-religious. However, I believe that in all keris bearing societies there was & is a spiritual element attached to the keris.