Keris washer

[Bill Marsh]

There has been some discussion about the cleaning and staining of keris in Steve's thread. I though that you might like to see a Javanese keris washer.

The handles were removed and the blades soaked in the tub for cleaning, staining and etching. Usually in a big ceremony once a year.

This one has never been used, but who knows? Maybe someday.....

The carvings you see are Indonesian Nagas. The mythical dragon snakes. The two most important nagas were Basuki and Anantaboga.

 

[C.S. Graves]

Another lovely piece in your envy-inducing collection?
I like the little display with the three keris hanging above the washer.

 

[Bill Marsh]

Another lovely piece in your envy-inducing collection?
I like the little display with the three keris hanging above the washer.

Thank you. There are three joys in a collection.

1. Acquiring the piece.

2. Playing with it, cleaning it, making a display or way of caring for it. Studying, learning, trying to understand the culture and how it was part of that culture.

3. Sharing it with others.

 

[tedwca]

Thanks for the view. Envious to no end, you have some great stuff.

 

[kamkazmoto]

In Indonesia a Kris is cleaned on a Muslim holiday called Lebaran Haji. It is a holiday where food is shared with those less fortunate.

 

[Arya]

Beautiful washer Bill, and your Javanese kerises look very handsome. You must have spent a fortune on those.

BTW, fighting arts (silat) using the keris in Java is no longer exist / even forbidden in Javanese custom - and keris became mere symbols down there.

In Sumatra, Sulawesi, Malaysia, Southern Thailand, Southern Philippines (keris Sundang), silat with keris fighting syllibus still flourishes.

My keris teacher told me, master the art of keris fighting, you will find it easy to learn other weapons i.e. knife, kerambit etc.

 

[ferguson]

A wonderful, unique piece. Beautifully displayed! :thumbup:

Steve