New book about keris

Alam Shah · 10th August 2006, 12:55 AM

I hope she can get a publisher.

The book written by Vanna e Mario Ghiringhelli had many beautiful keris pieces. A fine small little book with many picture but limited text.

But I do hope the book is bigger, with bigger pictures and more informational texts.

Rick · 10th August 2006, 01:31 AM

Tammens De Kris volume number three is a pretty good text on handles too .
Lots of pictures although I cannot comment on the accuracy of descriptions and attributions; possibly someone else may care to comment on this volume .
I would also recommend David Van Duren's book Krisses A Critical Bibliography as a guide to extant publications on the subject of keris .

David · 10th August 2006, 02:34 AM

Thanks Alan, for your preview/review on this new book. Given the quality described $100 is not too much at all, especially if the study of keris is your passion. What i am wondering is if there is really any truth to Shahrial's suggestion that an English translation is in the works. If so it makes sense for me to wait, but i hope the wait won't be too long.

Has anyone else heard that such a translation is in the works. I wouldn't doubt you Shahrial if you had said you knew for sure so i am hoping someone else has heard about this as well.

If no translation is forthcoming i am sure vi would buy this book anyway. A good picture is worth a thousand words and if the illustrations are anywhere near as good as i have heard it would still be well worth the price (+ that Indonesian/English dictionary i have yet to get

).
I have been aware that there was a new Ghiringhelli in the works and that should also be a good one when it gets published.

Alam Shah · 10th August 2006, 04:22 AM

David,

A friend of mine knows the publisher of the book. (Pak Boedhi... where are you...)

.

Btw, congrat David on making the Mod list.

David · 10th August 2006, 04:44 AM

Thanks Shahrial. Hope it didn't shock you too much.

In case anyone was wondering, yes i am Nechesh, but Rick thought it was a good idea for Mods to use there real first names and i agree.
Please encourage Boethi to join us. I am anxious to hear more about this book and any possible translations.

Boedhi Adhitya · 10th August 2006, 06:55 AM

Sorry for being late on joining this thread.

Thank you, Marcokeris, for starting this thread. I've kept myself from starting this thread for several months, because I'm not sure where I should put it, in swap or 'normal' forum, since I didn't want anybody see me as 'advertising' this book

(while I got no comission at all

)

As Shahrial had already post, I've met the chairman of PT Indonesia Kebanggaanku - the publisher of "Keris Jawa: Antara Mistik dan Nalar" - Mr. Rudy J. Pesik personally in June. He told me that he is working the English translation and scheduled to be completed at the end of this year. Actually, it was scheduled this month (August 2006) but Mr. Goura Mancacarita (an Australian, who had became a dalang, changes his nationality to Indonesia and an 'abdi dalem' of Surakarta Court) who worked on the translation did not kept up the schedule. For those who wish to have the English version, please wait for a while (and pray for the translation to be compeleted on time), but for those who can't wait, just grab it

Mr. Rudy also inform me that he is working on Book of Keris Bali also, which is still written by prominent native Bali collector (I forget the name), and he still looking for 'native expert' on Keris Bugis/Sulawesi. He insists to find a 'native expert' to give the book the tradisional/native standart/pakem and perspective, which may not being understood by other people from other cultures.

About the book being discussed, "Keris Jawa: Antara Mistik dan Nalar", as Alan said, it is the best book on keris jawa possible today. Quite concise, fully illustrated (the illustration based on actual kerises) and written in logical manner, chapter to chapter (Mr Guritno had asked some advise from several professors regarding the wording and technical aspect before published). But as we had already knew, we're only human.

As Guritno learnt under 'Surakarta school', this book mostly based on Surakarta's cultural standard which was culminated under the Pakubuwono X, with the famous 'Gebyar/ Macak Baris' approach, that is, 'mewah', luxurious approach. The Jogjakarta approach is 'Ngayang Batin', 'subtle'. These approach reflected on every aspect of Jogja and Solo cultures (dances, gamelan, wayang, etc, even the 'native' personal character, until today!). On this book, this approach reflected mostly on the example photographs and Keris Assesment standart. Both approach are good on their own sake, just don't mix it up

I have some disagreement on Keris Wearing, in Jogja style. As we both quote/learnt from the same sources, R. Riyo Condropuspito, I don't know why, the result are different. Unfortunately, Condropuspito had passed away. But for the rest of the book, I would mostly agree. IMHO, it is a traditional Court's standard (Pakem Baku/standar) on keris jawa which is accepted by many 'serious' collectors in Java today.

About Ensiklopedi Keris, I've never heard about it is being translated to English, and I believe, it wouldn't be any. The black-covered Ensiklopedi Keris is the second, revised edition, and I believe it is the last edition, as Mr. Bambang Harsrinuksmo passed away just before the launching. It is a good book, but for a beginner, it isn't telling much 'story', as it is written in alphabetical order and intended as an Encyclopedia. If we compare the 'Ensiklopedi' and 'Keris Jawa', we may find some 'disagreement / contradiction' which is very normal. Both might be right (and might be wrong also!), just accept it, as it is part of the 'excitement'

Having both books, what you should seek further is a lot lot lot of experiences, which may count for 99.9%, and trust yourself

Last but not least, I would like to congratulate this 'new' forum, and good luck !

Marcokeris · 10th August 2006, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Tammens De Kris volume number three is a pretty good text on handles too .
Lots of pictures although I cannot comment on the accuracy of descriptions and attributions; possibly someone else may care to comment on this volume .
I would also recommend David Van Duren's book Krisses A Critical Bibliography as a guide to extant publications on the subject of keris .

All the handles in Tammens De Kris vol 3 are a right attribution but the accuracy of description is modest (also the quality of photos).

David Van Dureen's book is really great!! But somethings is lost: J.G.Dieles / Blanke wapens uit de Gordel der Smaragd .... some indonesian fan book or article (there are local newspaper in Jawa with article about keris).... keris' video (N.Geographic?)....all auction catalogues (Sotheby, Christie, ...) .

David · 10th August 2006, 02:22 PM

Thanks Boedhi for joining us. You information is very welcome and i look forward to the English edition of this book. Good things are well worth waiting for.

David · 29th December 2006, 11:18 PM

I am bumping this to the top wondering if there has been any move on creating an English edition. How 'bout it Boedhi (or anyone else), any news?

Marcokeris · 30th December 2006, 05:45 PM

A note:
a new indonesian book with the same title: "keris jawa" (author M.T. Arifin) would be edit in indonesia.
Is this true? If yes some keris lover could kindly give me any notice about it?
Thanks.

Marcokeris · 2nd January 2007, 03:20 PM

A good new from new year:
The new Vanna Ghiringhelli book about keris will be soon in print.

The book publisher is italian: "Tipografia Saviolo"
The name of the book is "Keris Invincible II°"
The book is not in italian language but only in english language
The book has a big size and is full of nice large colour photos.

Two mounths ago I saw a print preview in Milan: is about 150 Ghiringhelli's keris never seen in other book before. One page with the picture of keris the other with description.
The quality of the book (edition, photos and written texts) would be EXCELLENT!!

10th August 2006, 12:55 AM	#1
Alam Shah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,248	I hope she can get a publisher. The book written by Vanna e Mario Ghiringhelli had many beautiful keris pieces. A fine small little book with many picture but limited text. But I do hope the book is bigger, with bigger pictures and more informational texts. Last edited by Alam Shah; 10th August 2006 at 04:26 AM.

10th August 2006, 04:22 AM	#4
Alam Shah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,248	Confirmation... David, A friend of mine knows the publisher of the book. (Pak Boedhi... where are you...) . Btw, congrat David on making the Mod list. Last edited by Alam Shah; 10th August 2006 at 02:27 PM. Reason: spelling

10th August 2006, 06:55 AM	#6
Boedhi Adhitya Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 103	Sorry for being late on joining this thread. Thank you, Marcokeris, for starting this thread. I've kept myself from starting this thread for several months, because I'm not sure where I should put it, in swap or 'normal' forum, since I didn't want anybody see me as 'advertising' this book (while I got no comission at all ) As Shahrial had already post, I've met the chairman of PT Indonesia Kebanggaanku - the publisher of "Keris Jawa: Antara Mistik dan Nalar" - Mr. Rudy J. Pesik personally in June. He told me that he is working the English translation and scheduled to be completed at the end of this year. Actually, it was scheduled this month (August 2006) but Mr. Goura Mancacarita (an Australian, who had became a dalang, changes his nationality to Indonesia and an 'abdi dalem' of Surakarta Court) who worked on the translation did not kept up the schedule. For those who wish to have the English version, please wait for a while (and pray for the translation to be compeleted on time), but for those who can't wait, just grab it Mr. Rudy also inform me that he is working on Book of Keris Bali also, which is still written by prominent native Bali collector (I forget the name), and he still looking for 'native expert' on Keris Bugis/Sulawesi. He insists to find a 'native expert' to give the book the tradisional/native standart/pakem and perspective, which may not being understood by other people from other cultures. About the book being discussed, "Keris Jawa: Antara Mistik dan Nalar", as Alan said, it is the best book on keris jawa possible today. Quite concise, fully illustrated (the illustration based on actual kerises) and written in logical manner, chapter to chapter (Mr Guritno had asked some advise from several professors regarding the wording and technical aspect before published). But as we had already knew, we're only human. As Guritno learnt under 'Surakarta school', this book mostly based on Surakarta's cultural standard which was culminated under the Pakubuwono X, with the famous 'Gebyar/ Macak Baris' approach, that is, 'mewah', luxurious approach. The Jogjakarta approach is 'Ngayang Batin', 'subtle'. These approach reflected on every aspect of Jogja and Solo cultures (dances, gamelan, wayang, etc, even the 'native' personal character, until today!). On this book, this approach reflected mostly on the example photographs and Keris Assesment standart. Both approach are good on their own sake, just don't mix it up I have some disagreement on Keris Wearing, in Jogja style. As we both quote/learnt from the same sources, R. Riyo Condropuspito, I don't know why, the result are different. Unfortunately, Condropuspito had passed away. But for the rest of the book, I would mostly agree. IMHO, it is a traditional Court's standard (Pakem Baku/standar) on keris jawa which is accepted by many 'serious' collectors in Java today. About Ensiklopedi Keris, I've never heard about it is being translated to English, and I believe, it wouldn't be any. The black-covered Ensiklopedi Keris is the second, revised edition, and I believe it is the last edition, as Mr. Bambang Harsrinuksmo passed away just before the launching. It is a good book, but for a beginner, it isn't telling much 'story', as it is written in alphabetical order and intended as an Encyclopedia. If we compare the 'Ensiklopedi' and 'Keris Jawa', we may find some 'disagreement / contradiction' which is very normal. Both might be right (and might be wrong also!), just accept it, as it is part of the 'excitement' Having both books, what you should seek further is a lot lot lot of experiences, which may count for 99.9%, and trust yourself Last but not least, I would like to congratulate this 'new' forum, and good luck ! Last edited by Boedhi Adhitya; 10th August 2006 at 07:12 AM.

10th August 2006, 01:31 AM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Tammens De Kris volume number three is a pretty good text on handles too . Lots of pictures although I cannot comment on the accuracy of descriptions and attributions; possibly someone else may care to comment on this volume . I would also recommend David Van Duren's book Krisses A Critical Bibliography as a guide to extant publications on the subject of keris .

10th August 2006, 02:34 AM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Thanks Alan, for your preview/review on this new book. Given the quality described $100 is not too much at all, especially if the study of keris is your passion. What i am wondering is if there is really any truth to Shahrial's suggestion that an English translation is in the works. If so it makes sense for me to wait, but i hope the wait won't be too long. Has anyone else heard that such a translation is in the works. I wouldn't doubt you Shahrial if you had said you knew for sure so i am hoping someone else has heard about this as well. If no translation is forthcoming i am sure vi would buy this book anyway. A good picture is worth a thousand words and if the illustrations are anywhere near as good as i have heard it would still be well worth the price (+ that Indonesian/English dictionary i have yet to get ). I have been aware that there was a new Ghiringhelli in the works and that should also be a good one when it gets published.

10th August 2006, 04:44 AM	#5
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Thanks Shahrial. Hope it didn't shock you too much. In case anyone was wondering, yes i am Nechesh, but Rick thought it was a good idea for Mods to use there real first names and i agree. Please encourage Boethi to join us. I am anxious to hear more about this book and any possible translations.

10th August 2006, 02:22 PM	#8
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Thanks Boedhi for joining us. You information is very welcome and i look forward to the English edition of this book. Good things are well worth waiting for.

29th December 2006, 11:18 PM	#9
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	I am bumping this to the top wondering if there has been any move on creating an English edition. How 'bout it Boedhi (or anyone else), any news?

30th December 2006, 05:45 PM	#10
Marcokeris Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Italy Posts: 928	A note: a new indonesian book with the same title: "keris jawa" (author M.T. Arifin) would be edit in indonesia. Is this true? If yes some keris lover could kindly give me any notice about it? Thanks.

2nd January 2007, 03:20 PM	#11
Marcokeris Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Italy Posts: 928	A good new from new year: The new Vanna Ghiringhelli book about keris will be soon in print. The book publisher is italian: "Tipografia Saviolo" The name of the book is "Keris Invincible II°" The book is not in italian language but only in english language The book has a big size and is full of nice large colour photos. Two mounths ago I saw a print preview in Milan: is about 150 Ghiringhelli's keris never seen in other book before. One page with the picture of keris the other with description. The quality of the book (edition, photos and written texts) would be EXCELLENT!!