Between Solo and Yogya

ganjawulung · 30th August 2007, 05:15 PM

SO CLOSE YET SO FAR

This two cultural cities, Surakarta (Solo) and Yogyakarta in Central Java is so close, only 65 kms apart. Yet, they have quite significant differences in their keris style, and also their practice. Physically, but sometimes non-physically.

Some “solo-school” will say “that’s allright” for certain practice in keris. But “yogya-school” say, “no, you may not do that”. Practice of “mbesut” (refining old kerises), for instance. Solo-school will say, this practice is permitted. But yogya-school will say, no, you may not do that. Yogya will keep old pusakas, old form of kerises as they are, even if the keris edge is corroded.

Some “keris besutan” (keris which has been refined) are easily recognized, from the smooth edge, and also from the very tip of the blade. Solonese besutan, usually changed the tip of old kerises with different type of tip, named as “mbuntut tumo” (as the tail of louse). Once a keris was refined by solonese – even by the famous “ahli besut” of Solo royal palace named Matang – yogyanese would not want to collect it, even it is a good and original old keris from Pajajaran, or Majapahit whatever. Also, fanatic yogyanese won’t put new keris (nom-noman) from Solo in their collection. Newly made solonese keris, is quite different from “classic” style of keris, like Mataram kerises, or older.

Why so different? That is a matter of historical background. Back to the turning point of their brotherhood between the heir of Mataram and his brothers, in 1755. That was the year of “palihan nagari" (the division of the Mataram kingdom), as a result of civil war between the sons of Mataram ruler, Susuhunan Amangkurat Jawa (Amangkurat IV, 1719-1727).

The first rebellion came from Raden Mas Said, the son of Mangkunagoro -- the eldest son of Amangkurat Jawa -- not from the consort of King, but from the mistress. The heir, Susuhunan Paku Buwono II, actually was the 10th son of Amangkurat, but from the consort of King.

In 1745, King Paku Buwono II announced that anyone who could root out the rebellion of Raden Mas Said, would get Sukowati area – in the eastern part of Solo. Mangkubumi – the 21th of total 42 sons of Amangkurat Jawa but from the mistress of the King – succeeded to root out that rebellion. But the King PB II denied his promise. In anger, Mangkubumi then rebelled, and fighting against the King PB II which was backed by the VOC (Vereenigde Nederlandsche g’octroyeerde Oost-Indische Maatschapij, a European multi-nation company at that time).

PB II was very ill when this King “handed” the Kingdom to the VOC. Then PB II was died in 1749. The civil war still took place, until “Gianti Treaty” in 1755. This treaty, which was signed by Nicolaas Hartingh – on behalf of VOC and King of Mataram Paku Buwono III (successor of PB II) – and Mangkubumi, divided Mataram into two kingdoms: Yogyakarta (Mangkubumi, then Hamengku Buwono or HB I) and Surakarta (Paku Buwono III).

Related to “keris world”, Mangkubumi who became Hamengku Buwono I chose “the old style” of Keris, the style of Mataram. And from then the Surakarta kingdom applied “gagrak anyar” style, new style in their kerises, their sheaths. For the "gagrak anyar" style, Solonese kingdom modified the "pesisiran" (coastal state) style.

The ruler of Yogya, Hamengku Buwono I was the uncle of Paku Buwono III -- ruller of the Solonese kingdom. Even not only keris they have differences. Their wayang also had some differences in details and style. Quite significant. Also their style of music, dances….

Ganjawulung

Raden Usman Djogja · 30th August 2007, 10:49 PM

dear Gonjo,

after paliyan negari
If in Keraton Jogja, there are Kiai Plered & Kiai Kopek. There is Kiai Wewe Putih (Gumarang) in Pakualaman. How about in Keraton Solo and Mangkunegaran.

Usmen

ganjawulung · 31st August 2007, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raden Usman Djogja

after paliyan negari
If in Keraton Jogja, there are Kiai Plered & Kiai Kopek. There is Kiai Wewe Putih (Gumarang) in Pakualaman. How about in Keraton Solo and Mangkunegaran.

Usmen

That's beyond my knowledge, Raden. There is still a tradition of "sinengker" (people outside kraton may not know), especially about the pusakas. Yes, the English book on Kraton Yogya mentioned some names of legitimate pusakas, like Kanjeng Kiai Joko Piturun (keris) -- the symbol of kraton legitimacy for the heir or Kraton Yogyakarta. You may read also the interesting book of the (Australian) historian MC Ricklefs on "The Missing Pusakas". He mentioned quite a lot of names of Kraton pusakas...

This is what I know:
On pusakas (kerises, tombaks) may be Yogyakarta has better ones, or at least older pusakas. But on arts (dances, music, litterature) Solo is better. What people know abroad on those kind of arts, usually come from Solo. You may find such "karawitan" (Java traditional music) professor as Mr Sumarsam at the Wesleyan University in US. He comes from Solo too. Also DR Rahayu Supanggah, the prominent Javanese musicologist in Indonesia now. He comes from Sragen (formerly Sukawati) in the east of Solo..

For me, both -- Solo and Yogya -- gave their share for the development of the Javanese culture. Personally, I am solonese. But most of my collections are Yogyanese. And I love Yogya style too, I love the simplicity -- Yogyanese philosophy in their kerises...

Ganjawulung

Marcokeris · 31st August 2007, 10:53 AM

Dear Ganja
I agree with you about semplicity in Yogya keris (mainly for pendok and sarong ....in my opinion gayaman with its "free -from -angles form" has, like an egg, a great balance and elegance).

Please, could you explain in depth about "keris besutan"?

Marco

ganjawulung · 31st August 2007, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcokeris

Please, could you explain in depth about "keris besutan"?

Marco

Dear Marco,
The edge of old keris, is usually "serrated" (pls correct me, if I used the wrong English term), because of age, and corrosion. In Solo, the practice of "mbesut" (smoothen the serrated edge, reshape the blade) is permitted. Of course, by the specialist of it. Matang is a wellknown specialist of mbesut practice in Kraton Solo. You may call, such old but reshaped keris as "keris besutan" or "keris larasan".

So, "mbesut" or "nglaras" (verb) keris, contains intention of reshaping, beautifying the corroded keris edge -- of course, without heat treatment. But for they who don't agree with such practice, may call such reshaped keris as "keris ongotan" (negative meaning). Ongotan means "sharpened", like pencil. (True) yogyanese, doesn't practice this...

This is only my simple opinion...

Ganjawulung

PenangsangII · 1st September 2007, 04:42 AM

Pak Ganja,

Which one of these two schools - Solo & Yogja, follow the tradition of old schools of say, Mataram era? I believe that I read it somewhere that Sultan Agung's time was actually the keris golden era.

And another stupid question, according to tangguhan, original dapor pasopati was created during which era?

ganjawulung · 1st September 2007, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PenangsangII

Which one of these two schools - Solo & Yogja, follow the tradition of old schools of say, Mataram era? I believe that I read it somewhere that Sultan Agung's time was actually the keris golden era.

And another stupid question, according to tangguhan, original dapor pasopati was created during which era?

Dear Penangsang,

Both "schools" follow most of the old tradition, and only different in certain aspects (sometimes totally different). In certain sense, Solo school is more modern. If you are interested in keris making, then you must be "solo-scholar"... Solonese modern keris-making (technically) is much better than Yogya. There are more solonese keris makers than yogyanese nowadays. "Yogya school' has more appreciation on old style of keris (originality is more important), and also spiritual experience...

In warangka (sheath) and appearance, solonese kerises are more glamour if not luxurious. (Warangka studded with diamonds and gems, and gold pendhok etc)...

For collectors, it is interesting to collect both "nom-noman" (new) style of their kerises. You may compare, the nom-noman Paku Buwanan vs Hamengku Buwanan. Very interesting, really worth to compare. (So, ideally, you must be both scholar --solonese and yogyanese).

About dhapur Pasopati, I don't have any clue who first created that dhapur. It only was told in old keris literature, that most of kerises that were made by Empu Setratoya (in Mataram period), had dhapur sabuk inten (luk 13), dhapur carita, dhapur kalamisani and dhapur pasopati. Empu Setratoya had some other names in different kingdoms. He was named too as Jaka Supa, the son of the famous Majapahit empu, Supamandrangi (Pangeran Sendang Sedayu).

Empu Setratoya or Jaka Supa, in the Demak period named as Empu Macan, in Pajang period as Empu Kodok and then Empu Toendoeng. And in Mataram era, as Empu Setratoya...

The two pusakas of Kraton Yogyakarta, named as Kanjeng Kiai Lindri and also Kanjeng Kiai Naga, bear dhapur pasopati (straight keris, with two sogokan, but with kembang kacang pogok or short sekar kacang...)

Ganjawulung

30th August 2007, 05:15 PM	#1
ganjawulung Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: J a k a r t a Posts: 991	Yogya vs Solo SO CLOSE YET SO FAR This two cultural cities, Surakarta (Solo) and Yogyakarta in Central Java is so close, only 65 kms apart. Yet, they have quite significant differences in their keris style, and also their practice. Physically, but sometimes non-physically. Some “solo-school” will say “that’s allright” for certain practice in keris. But “yogya-school” say, “no, you may not do that”. Practice of “mbesut” (refining old kerises), for instance. Solo-school will say, this practice is permitted. But yogya-school will say, no, you may not do that. Yogya will keep old pusakas, old form of kerises as they are, even if the keris edge is corroded. Some “keris besutan” (keris which has been refined) are easily recognized, from the smooth edge, and also from the very tip of the blade. Solonese besutan, usually changed the tip of old kerises with different type of tip, named as “mbuntut tumo” (as the tail of louse). Once a keris was refined by solonese – even by the famous “ahli besut” of Solo royal palace named Matang – yogyanese would not want to collect it, even it is a good and original old keris from Pajajaran, or Majapahit whatever. Also, fanatic yogyanese won’t put new keris (nom-noman) from Solo in their collection. Newly made solonese keris, is quite different from “classic” style of keris, like Mataram kerises, or older. Why so different? That is a matter of historical background. Back to the turning point of their brotherhood between the heir of Mataram and his brothers, in 1755. That was the year of “palihan nagari" (the division of the Mataram kingdom), as a result of civil war between the sons of Mataram ruler, Susuhunan Amangkurat Jawa (Amangkurat IV, 1719-1727). The first rebellion came from Raden Mas Said, the son of Mangkunagoro -- the eldest son of Amangkurat Jawa -- not from the consort of King, but from the mistress. The heir, Susuhunan Paku Buwono II, actually was the 10th son of Amangkurat, but from the consort of King. In 1745, King Paku Buwono II announced that anyone who could root out the rebellion of Raden Mas Said, would get Sukowati area – in the eastern part of Solo. Mangkubumi – the 21th of total 42 sons of Amangkurat Jawa but from the mistress of the King – succeeded to root out that rebellion. But the King PB II denied his promise. In anger, Mangkubumi then rebelled, and fighting against the King PB II which was backed by the VOC (Vereenigde Nederlandsche g’octroyeerde Oost-Indische Maatschapij, a European multi-nation company at that time). PB II was very ill when this King “handed” the Kingdom to the VOC. Then PB II was died in 1749. The civil war still took place, until “Gianti Treaty” in 1755. This treaty, which was signed by Nicolaas Hartingh – on behalf of VOC and King of Mataram Paku Buwono III (successor of PB II) – and Mangkubumi, divided Mataram into two kingdoms: Yogyakarta (Mangkubumi, then Hamengku Buwono or HB I) and Surakarta (Paku Buwono III). Related to “keris world”, Mangkubumi who became Hamengku Buwono I chose “the old style” of Keris, the style of Mataram. And from then the Surakarta kingdom applied “gagrak anyar” style, new style in their kerises, their sheaths. For the "gagrak anyar" style, Solonese kingdom modified the "pesisiran" (coastal state) style. The ruler of Yogya, Hamengku Buwono I was the uncle of Paku Buwono III -- ruller of the Solonese kingdom. Even not only keris they have differences. Their wayang also had some differences in details and style. Quite significant. Also their style of music, dances…. Ganjawulung

30th August 2007, 10:49 PM	#2
Raden Usman Djogja Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 199	dear Gonjo, after paliyan negari If in Keraton Jogja, there are Kiai Plered & Kiai Kopek. There is Kiai Wewe Putih (Gumarang) in Pakualaman. How about in Keraton Solo and Mangkunegaran. Usmen

31st August 2007, 10:53 AM	#4
Marcokeris Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Italy Posts: 928	Dear Ganja I agree with you about semplicity in Yogya keris (mainly for pendok and sarong ....in my opinion gayaman with its "free -from -angles form" has, like an egg, a great balance and elegance). Please, could you explain in depth about "keris besutan"? Marco

1st September 2007, 04:42 AM	#6
PenangsangII Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 401	Pak Ganja, Which one of these two schools - Solo & Yogja, follow the tradition of old schools of say, Mataram era? I believe that I read it somewhere that Sultan Agung's time was actually the keris golden era. And another stupid question, according to tangguhan, original dapor pasopati was created during which era?