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A Keris maker in Yogyakarta the name is Ki Hadi Suryo Susanto has produced several Keris. That are in the personal collections of people around Yogyakarta and even outside the area. He comes from the city of yogyakarta on Jl Prof. Dr Jl. Prof. Dr. Ir. Herman Johannes, Samirono and now he lives in Gedhongan Village Gilangharjo Pandak Bantul Yogyakarta. Every day he works as an artist, including making bird cages, making knives or swords, wood carving and making keris. From some of his skills Ki Hadi Suryo Susanto only makes art objects according to orders, like now he is just focusing on making Javanese model keris.
According to Ki Hadi Suryo Susanto, making one keris takes about 1 month depending on how much pamor will be displayed. Keris is a Javanese cultural heritage that is closely related and spread throughout Java and the archipelago. The shape of the keris is slightly different in each region, but basically the shape of the keris is wavy and tapers upwards. According to Ki Hadi Suryo Susanto, the materials for making a keris include steel, nickel and iron, all three elements must be present in a keris.
In addition to being a weapon, the keris is a symbol of identity for Javanese people. Over time by time, the keris also functions as decoration, identity, moral messages and some even consider it as an heirloom. Some customs in Java, such as weddings, also use keris as accessories for traditional clothing. If we visit the Yogyakarta palace, every palace servant still uses a keris as part of their daily traditional clothing. Keris has been registered and recognized by UNESCO as culture heritage originating from Indonesia.
Keris Making Process
As time goes by, keris maker in Yogyakarta are decreasing, because the manufacturing process takes a long time. According to Ki Hadi Suryo, making a keris must be done with heart and full of love for the keris. So that the results will look good. For the process of making a keris varies from one master to another.
According to what I saw and asked Ki Hadi Suryo Susanto. The making of a keris begins with preparing the material in the form of an iron blade. The iron that has been prepared is forged repeatedly to remove dirt or compounds. After the blade is finished and has been cleaned, the keris blade is folded to resemble the letter U. This to insert the pamor material plate inside, then folded again, heated, forged again so that it becomes one and solid.
This forging process affects the quality of the keris and the pamor produced. So the keris maker in Yogyakarta must be very careful in this process. When forging the iron blade that has been made into one with nickel and steel, it will be formed according to the order. There are 2 types of keris shapes, namely straight or luk. This forming process is also carried out while heating the iron blade, so it is easy to form as desired. The next stage is to make ornaments using a file and other tools so that the pamor looks good. The last stage is penyepuhan, so that the keris metal becomes steel iron metal.
Keris Care in Javanese Tradition
According to some people and Ki Hadi, keris is an heirloom that must be guarded and purified. One way is to bathe or clean the keris every month of Muharam or Suro. After the keris is cleaned, it will be smeared with oil so that new rust does not appear. This fragrance oil traditionally uses jasmine oil or Cendana oil diluted in coconut oil.
The next stage after the keris is cleaned and perfumed is given offerings. The meaning of offerings is that the keris is given flowers and menyan. According to some people who still adhere to ancient beliefs, keris has magical powers that must be maintained properly.
In my opinion all of that is just a tradition from the past that may have a philosophy that is interpreted with various conclusions, depending on each individual. If you want to follow the process of making a keris, please contact me at the phone number or email that I have listed on the front page of this website. I apologize if this story is not the same as the process of making other keris. Because as I said from the beginning making keris can be done in various ways. I recommended this place to anyone one to visit java or travel to java.
