The basics of keris understanding?

David · 25th June 2008, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

I bow to the wisdom and wishes of the majority.

I don't know Alan, i think perhaps you are being a little too harsh. The general silence does not necessarily speak to the wishes of the majority. It might be that for many the questions are a bit too intimidating or perhaps they just don't know what questions to ask. I would hope that in a situation like this that those among us with more experience like yourself might be willing to take the lead, as it were, and conduct this conversation towards the right direction instead of just throwing up ones arms without pushing the subject or digging deeper. I don't think that there is anyone among us who would not like to see this topic just a little bit clearer, but i don't think many of us even know where to start. While i certainly agree with you that everyone's opinion bears equal weight and consideration in this forum i think that youself and perhaps a few others on this forum actually have the accumulated knowledge necessary to get the ball truly rolling here.

A. G. Maisey · 25th June 2008, 01:27 AM

David, I'm not being harsh, I'm being gentle and accommodating.

I did close an earlier post with this:-

"---Quality is most certainly a very important factor in the appraisal of a keris, so, as a place to begin discussion, perhaps some of you may care to nominate those characteristics of a keris that for you speak of its quality."

Which was intended to get some sort of input so that we could explore possibilities and open discussion.

Yes, certainly I could simply put up what I've learnt, but that then becomes a lecture, not a discussion. Do we want "The World of the Keris According to Maisey"?

I think not. At least, I'm not prepared to simply put up endless posts setting forth the way I see things.

It becomes a different exercise entirely if various people nominate their own opinions, and we then contrast those opinions with the opinions of my teachers, and with my own. In any case, its not necessarily a Jawacentric set of values. There are a number of people here who are based in Singapore and Malaysia. These are areas closer to keris culture than anywhere in the western world. Their ideas and opinions can provide valuable contributions.

The idea is to attempt some sort of overall understanding, not just an understanding of one facet, taken from one perspective.

David · 25th June 2008, 04:21 AM

No Alan, i certainly don't expect you to lay out "The World of the Keris According to Maisey", though i am absolutely sure that i would personally learn a great deal from such a lecture. But i also don't think that you (or anyone) could possible post any information or theory on this forum without getting response and therefore discussion to follow. I just don't think most members know how to start such a discussion, that's all. You are right, it is not necessarily a Jawa-centric set of values, but if that is what you have to offer then that is a start. If the infamous "good keris" threads taught us anything it is that these guidelines will vary dependent upon the actual origin of the particular keris under discussion. I am fairly sure that if anyone puts out their opinion on these values that a conversation, not a lecture, will follow.

25th June 2008, 01:27 AM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	David, I'm not being harsh, I'm being gentle and accommodating. I did close an earlier post with this:- "---Quality is most certainly a very important factor in the appraisal of a keris, so, as a place to begin discussion, perhaps some of you may care to nominate those characteristics of a keris that for you speak of its quality." Which was intended to get some sort of input so that we could explore possibilities and open discussion. Yes, certainly I could simply put up what I've learnt, but that then becomes a lecture, not a discussion. Do we want "The World of the Keris According to Maisey"? I think not. At least, I'm not prepared to simply put up endless posts setting forth the way I see things. It becomes a different exercise entirely if various people nominate their own opinions, and we then contrast those opinions with the opinions of my teachers, and with my own. In any case, its not necessarily a Jawacentric set of values. There are a number of people here who are based in Singapore and Malaysia. These are areas closer to keris culture than anywhere in the western world. Their ideas and opinions can provide valuable contributions. The idea is to attempt some sort of overall understanding, not just an understanding of one facet, taken from one perspective.

25th June 2008, 04:21 AM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,218	No Alan, i certainly don't expect you to lay out "The World of the Keris According to Maisey", though i am absolutely sure that i would personally learn a great deal from such a lecture. But i also don't think that you (or anyone) could possible post any information or theory on this forum without getting response and therefore discussion to follow. I just don't think most members know how to start such a discussion, that's all. You are right, it is not necessarily a Jawa-centric set of values, but if that is what you have to offer then that is a start. If the infamous "good keris" threads taught us anything it is that these guidelines will vary dependent upon the actual origin of the particular keris under discussion. I am fairly sure that if anyone puts out their opinion on these values that a conversation, not a lecture, will follow.