Abstract of Item: Multifunction Kujang

[yifu]

Item details:
Age: Early to mid-16th century
Length: 23 centimeters
Weight: 290 grams

A kujang is a Sundanese traditional weapon with various other functions. At first this particular one was estimated to be a Kujang Pusaka, a talisman to keep away enemies, sickness, or danger, due to its preserved appearance and lack of visible battle scars. Further examination, however, shows it to be a Kujang Pakarang, the type of kujang used in combat. The kujang was discovered in Bogor, West Java, which in ancient times was Pakuan, the center of the Sunda kingdom; it was kept within a plain rectangular box of woven rattan, fragile with age.

The traditionally curved blade is made of thin steel and fashioned in the "crane" shape, while the "eyes" are covered with silver. The outer edge of the blade is serrated halfway down. A broad gold ring covers the part where the blade connected with the sandalwood hilt, worn smooth with handling. When the end of the hilt is pulled hard enough and at a certain angle, a small compartment will pop out. Tiny packets are found within the compartment, one of them containing what seemed to be the remains of belladonna leaves.

First post + Fixed a factual error.

Comments

[yeloson]

Can we identify any empu's marks upon the blade? Usually near the base by the handle? It would be worth cross-referencing to the pedangs still in storage.

[yifu]

No marks can be seen on any part of the kujang, and researchers are still looking for clues - of who had made the weapon and who might have used it.