(Faculty of Philosophy, Universitas Gadjah Mada Yogyakarta, Indonesia)(2) Lasiyo Lasiyo
(Faculty of Philosophy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, Indonesia)(3) Sindung Tjahyadi
(Faculty of Philosophy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, Indonesia)*corresponding author
AbstractJavanese aesthetics embody the concept of beauty as experienced through rasa, a sensibility that integrates physical perception, spiritual intuition, and cultural meaning. Rooted in Javanese philosophical and mystical traditions, rasa serves as the essential criterion in defining aesthetic value. This study explores the manifestation of Javanese aesthetics in the craft of keris hilts made from Tayuman wood (Bauhinia purpurea), believed to possess spiritual potency (tuah). Beyond its fine texture, rich brown hue, and workable density, Tayuman wood is valued for its mystical energy. The unssyeng-unyeng motif, that concentric grain patterns formed by dormant branch knots, is considered the visual and spiritual core of its aesthetic appeal. Using a qualitative research method with a Javanese aesthetic construction approach, this study applies hermeneutic interpretation and symbolic analysis to reveal the multilayered meanings embedded in the artifact. The analysis identifies both exoteric (technical and visual) and esoteric (spiritual and metaphysical) dimensions that converge harmoniously in the crafting process. The Tayuman wood keris hilt thus emerges not merely as an object of visual beauty but as a symbolic expression of Javanese cultural identity, linking humans, nature, and the spiritual realm through the unity of art, belief, and tradition.
KeywordsKeris Hilts; Tayuman Wood; Tuah; Rasa; Javanese Aesthetic
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DOIhttps://doi.org/10.31763/viperarts.v7i2.2200 |
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