Keris Terminology

A. G. Maisey · 22nd September 2020, 10:47 PM

Jeff, all these names are euphemisms, the true names are kept hidden, as are the deeper understandings.

Bjorn touched on this in his original post.

Frankly, I can see no problem in the use of English to refer to any of the keris features:- the English word is irrelevant, just as the Javanese or Malay word is irrelevant.

In the absence of true understanding all the words mean nothing.

JeffS · 22nd September 2020, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

In the absence of true understanding all the words mean nothing.

They do indicate that the features described (by euphemism) have significance, right? Knowing broadly which features these are and being able to reference them to others seems to be a useful first step in getting a physical understanding of keris layout. Or are you saying that is not relevant?

A. G. Maisey · 22nd September 2020, 11:55 PM

I am saying that giving the character that represents the shortest mantra the name of a letter of the Javanese alphabet is totally unconnected with any understanding of the keris.

The same applies to all the names used to refer to the various characteristics of the keris, and in fact, to the keris itself.

You could liken this to biblical studies:- there is a level of knowledge that is adequate for lay people, a level for the general clergy, a level for the princes of the church and a level that only the head of the church has the burden of carrying.

22nd September 2020, 10:47 PM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,017	Jeff, all these names are euphemisms, the true names are kept hidden, as are the deeper understandings. Bjorn touched on this in his original post. Frankly, I can see no problem in the use of English to refer to any of the keris features:- the English word is irrelevant, just as the Javanese or Malay word is irrelevant. In the absence of true understanding all the words mean nothing.

22nd September 2020, 11:55 PM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,017	I am saying that giving the character that represents the shortest mantra the name of a letter of the Javanese alphabet is totally unconnected with any understanding of the keris. The same applies to all the names used to refer to the various characteristics of the keris, and in fact, to the keris itself. You could liken this to biblical studies:- there is a level of knowledge that is adequate for lay people, a level for the general clergy, a level for the princes of the church and a level that only the head of the church has the burden of carrying.