Review 'The Javanese Kris'

[ganjawulung]

Originally Posted by Rick

I have received my copy and am in the reading process .

OTW, and not yet received the copy of this English translation from the original German book. But I have the "Indonesian Version" (translated from the German Version, by Stanley Hendrawidjaja, Dipl Ing a German university alumnus). So, just Indonesian translation and with minimal illustrations quoted from the original book.

This is of course a much quoted book by such other keris books as Garrett & Bronwen Solyom (The World of the Javanese Kris), Dr WH Rassers (On the Javanese Kris), Wolfgang Spielmann (Der Javanische Keris), Ing GJFJ Tammens (De Kris, Magic Relic of Old Indonesia) et cetera...

Written in the "rich period" of javanese kingdoms of Yogyakarta Sultanate (during Hamengku Buwana VII who reigned 1877-1921) and Solo or Surakarta Sunanate (during Paku Buwana X who reigned 1893-1939). And Dr Isaac Groneman himself was living from 1832-1912... He was working as a professional doctor at Yogyakarta karaton (palace), and was married to grand grand grand daughter of Hamengku Buwana I -- the founder of Yogyakarta after "palihan nagari" (the division of Mataram since 1755). Spent his last days in this beloved world in the Netherland, and had written some books, including periodical writings in Internationales Archiv fur Etnographie...

This book is regarded so important by keris people, because this is not only a "solo centris" keris book, but I think quite both sides of the two mainstreams in Javanese keris world: Yogyakarta and Surakarta. (He quoted the Solo version of types of keris which was written in 1871 (in javanese language) by FL Winter "Serat Bab Pratelanipun Dapur Duwung mawi Kawujudan Gambar 51" (Notes on Keris' Dapurs with 51 pictures), but also quoted 118 types of dapur keris manuscript owned and kept by karaton of Yogyakarta.

Mr Groneman was lucky to have opportunity to observe from beginning to end of the traditional process of making 5 (five) kerises which was commissioned by Regierungsrat Franz Heger from Austria in the besalen of Pura Pakualaman (a Yogyakarta Principality which has both styles in keris, combination of Solonese and Yogyakartan style).

Groneman said, that the five choice of pamors for the five kerises, were: (1) wos wutah, (2) blaraq ngirid, (3) sekar pala, (4) sekar ngadeg, and (5) sekar temu... And some of the pamor materials were of "meteorite pamor of Prambanan" (which once fell at the area of/near Prambanan temple)...

The works of the kerises were made by a "pande keris" (an empu) in Pakualaman Principality, named Ngabehi Karyadikrama who was assisted by three panjaqs (keris maker assistants) and one niece of him. The process of the traditional keris making in Pakualaman was including the "sajen" (offerings)rituals. Groneman wrote the process in a very descriptive details of keris making's aspects.

Of course, this is a book of good reference for every Keris' connoisseur...

GANJAWULUNG