Luk numbering in 1800th - 1900th Java

[Jussi M.]

Greetings,

after reading a (Greybeards) recent post I wondered whether how much of a systemization is there to be found in the 1800th - 1900th Javanese kerises?

What I mean is that in my understanding the dapurs with a high luk numbering are more associated with those members of the Javanese community that have a higher standing in the social hierarchy and vice versa, those with a lesser standing usually have kerises with dapurs portraying lesser luk´s.

What I am interested is, is there any base systematization to this "matching" that can be roughly understood from a Westerners viewpoint?

Thanks,

J.

[David]

Originally Posted by Jussi M.

What I mean is that in my understanding the dapurs with a high luk numbering are more associated with those members of the Javanese community that have a higher standing in the social hierarchy and vice versa, those with a lesser standing usually have kerises with dapurs portraying lesser luk´s.

I have heard this before and also that certain luk were designated to certain professions (not necessarily higher or lower, just different), but i have never heard any of these theories confirmed in any way. I have also heard the same particular number luk blades assigned to various profession causing even more confusion. So who do we believe? It is possible that all the different stories are correct in more specific locations or times, but i am not sure that any of it can ever be universally nailed down to one correct answer.

[Jussi M.]

Originally Posted by David

I have heard this before and also that certain luk were designated to certain professions (not necessarily higher or lower, just different), but i have never heard any of these theories confirmed in any way. I have also heard the same particular number luk blades assigned to various profession causing even more confusion. So who do we believe? It is possible that all the different stories are correct in more specific locations or times, but i am not sure that any of it can ever be universally nailed down to one correct answer.

You are most probably right David. Nailing it down to one correct answer is, so I believe, impossible but I wonder if it is possible to get some kind of a portrayal to this theme comparing what information is available against each other. For example, you brought the issue of professions. If we could nail down the bits of information regarding this theme a further hypothesis could be arranged based on what seems to repeat on different sources and which seems not.

The aim: nailing it down


The process


Thanks,

J.