K i n a t a h (Tinatah -- Gold Ornaments in Keris and Tombak)

[ganjawulung]

Originally Posted by Raden Usman Djogja

Wouw... wondeful pictures
I have some kinatahs, but none are excellent. Perhaps, because of corrotion. I wonder if any kinatah is still complete for centuries/decades. Perhaps, there is a special treatment in how to protect the kinatah.How? let's discuss and share information?

Sometimes, I have a will to restore the kinatah. But, someday, my acquintance advised me to find goldsmith who, at least, knowing about keris. Still in his explanation, if using heat to inlaid gold it must be careful. the heat can influence to the power of keris/tombak. Especially, in methuk or gonjo. in the area between methuk/gonjo and blede was a meeting point. "It is important part", he added. Perhaps, his approach was more spiritual than rational.

Yogyakarta's style, is classic style. And Solo or Surakarta's style, is gagrak anyar or new style, modern style. I suppose, Mr Raden Usman is more classic than gagrak anyar. About why, the neighbouring city or Yogya and Solo (only 64 km distance) bear the "opposing style", that was already written by Mr Boedhy Adhitya in other thread.

In my opinion, Yogyakartanese mostly keep the kerises they have, as they are. Changing old kerises is "forbidden" in Yogyakarta. Of course, not strictly forbidden by law. Say it, Yogyakartanese usually doesn't want to change old kerises. So, just keep your keris as it is. The more original the "kinatah", the better. Solo? You may change your kerises to look more good-looking...

Why the kinatah of these kerises in this thread are "perfect"? I just say about my kerises. I dare to say, that the kinatah in my kerises is "nem-neman" or just say it: "gagrak anyar". Even the "garap" or work of art of the kinatah is quite perfect. (But not the wedung, it is worse than the kinatah of the spear and panji pilis in the keris).

Raden, do you still want to renew the kinatah in your keris? Even in Yogyakarta there are some good kinatah maker. Say, there is Nugroho, or Sarju. In Solo, Yanto is one of the best too.

Kinatah is only gold ornaments in kerises. You put off the kinatah from your kerises, surely the kerises are still good looking. Such kinatah art was developping exponentially in the golden era of Mataram, under Sultan Agung (1613-1645). One of the most wellknown motive of kinatah in this era, was "gajah singa" (elephant and lion, as the kinatah motive of Marco's keris in this thread...)

Please, feel free to choose, Raden. Classic style, or gagrak anyar style?

Ganjawulung