The Javanese Kris, a Symbol of Identity
THE JAKARTA POST Features – Leisure Wednesday, August 28, 1996 Page 9 KRIS: FROM TOOL FOR SELF-CONFIDENCE TO SYMBOL OF IDENTITY By Jimmy S Harianto It is hard to believe that the krisses and swords in the showcases were made hundreds of years ago. Not only are there no traces of rust, but the pamor (damascene), the fine designs carved into their frames, still radiate a brilliant shine. To non-expert eyes, the antique weapons, on display from Aug 21 to 28, 1996 at Bentara Budaya Jakarta, Jalan Palmerah Selatan 17 Central Jakarta, seem no different to new ones. “Since I was 12, when I was in junior high, my father taught me how to take care of the sacred krisses my family have passed on from generation to generation,” said Tangsen Kusumo, 38, the son of the late Kanjeng Raden Tumenggung (KRT) Mandoyo Kusumo. KRT Mandoyo Kusumo was a member of the Yogyakarta keraton (sultan’s palace). He owned 16 sacred krisses and swords of t