First Post - Identification Assistance Much Appreciated

A. G. Maisey · 9th May 2024, 10:12 PM

Yes David, I'm sure that you would have already been aware of much of the info in this post, but a lot of the people who may read this post might not have been.

I am of the opinion that the keris sajen came into being at a time when esoteric attributes were already well established as a characteristic of the keris.

If we go to the old literature it seems clear that initially the keris was purely a weapon, this weapon has altered in both form & function over the last 1000 years or so, & these alterations reflect societal needs & beliefs.

The esoterica that surrounds the keris seems to come into being after the keris as we know it now became iconic of Javanese society, & this did not happen until after the rise of Islam.

The name "Keris Majapahit" for this form of keris seems to have come from outside Jawa, I think it was originally coined by one of the early European researchers or Javanologists.

The name "Keris Majapahit" for these little sajens is one I never heard in Solo in the 1970's. When a Javanese person talks about a "Keris Mojopahit" he is talking about a keris of tangguh Mojopahit, not a Keris Sajen.

I have never done much research on the keris sajen, the hilt figures seem to vary in accordance with the type of people who were regarded as figures of power when the sajen was made, so you get Turkish style hats, Euro style hats & so on that serve to identify the figure.

I built a good representative collection of sajens, and had them in my site photo gallery, but I passed that collection to a new owner, probably ten or fifteen years ago.

I think that we are all aware of the distinction between keris knowledge & keris belief, but very often the keris belief does become keris knowledge, at which time it becomes knowledge of a belief system. Somewhat the same as the knowledge of any other belief system.

A. G. Maisey · 10th May 2024, 12:33 AM

As an example:-

"--- hilt figures seem to vary in accordance with the type of people who were regarded as figures of power when the sajen was made ---"

Pendita65 · 10th May 2024, 08:42 AM

Mr. Maisey,

thank you for this broad explanation of the Keris Sajen and it's origin. Each time here on the forum i learn something new to me.

Best wishes, Martin

10th May 2024, 12:33 AM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,742	As an example:- "--- hilt figures seem to vary in accordance with the type of people who were regarded as figures of power when the sajen was made ---" Attached Images

9th May 2024, 10:12 PM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,742	Yes David, I'm sure that you would have already been aware of much of the info in this post, but a lot of the people who may read this post might not have been. I am of the opinion that the keris sajen came into being at a time when esoteric attributes were already well established as a characteristic of the keris. If we go to the old literature it seems clear that initially the keris was purely a weapon, this weapon has altered in both form & function over the last 1000 years or so, & these alterations reflect societal needs & beliefs. The esoterica that surrounds the keris seems to come into being after the keris as we know it now became iconic of Javanese society, & this did not happen until after the rise of Islam. The name "Keris Majapahit" for this form of keris seems to have come from outside Jawa, I think it was originally coined by one of the early European researchers or Javanologists. The name "Keris Majapahit" for these little sajens is one I never heard in Solo in the 1970's. When a Javanese person talks about a "Keris Mojopahit" he is talking about a keris of tangguh Mojopahit, not a Keris Sajen. I have never done much research on the keris sajen, the hilt figures seem to vary in accordance with the type of people who were regarded as figures of power when the sajen was made, so you get Turkish style hats, Euro style hats & so on that serve to identify the figure. I built a good representative collection of sajens, and had them in my site photo gallery, but I passed that collection to a new owner, probably ten or fifteen years ago. I think that we are all aware of the distinction between keris knowledge & keris belief, but very often the keris belief does become keris knowledge, at which time it becomes knowledge of a belief system. Somewhat the same as the knowledge of any other belief system.

10th May 2024, 08:42 AM	#3
Pendita65 Member Join Date: Feb 2023 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 73	Mr. Maisey, thank you for this broad explanation of the Keris Sajen and it's origin. Each time here on the forum i learn something new to me. Best wishes, Martin