Special Features Of Legendary Jepara Carving

15 Jan 2021
By DeJepara

It can be said that carving is the most important craft in the city of Jepara. The centre of Jepara wood production is in Mulyoharjo Village which is the centre of sculpture and carving crafts. Numerous distinctive Jepara carvings are made of mahogany, teak, sengon, and many more.

Almost all districts in the city of Jepara have wood carvings and furniture according to their respective expertise. As for the handicrafts of Jepara carving itself, it varies greatly, such as the shape of leaf motifs, sculpture motifs, reliefs, and many more.

From history, it is said that the people of Jepara had wood carving skills from an artist named Ki Sungging Adi Luwih who lived in the kingdom. The expertise of Ki Sungging Adi Luwih was so celebrated that the king finally found out about Ki Sungging Adi Luwih's expertise. Then, finally, the king ordered a picture for his empress from Ki Sungging.

Long story short, Ki Sungging was finally able to complete the picture. However, when he was about to add black paint to the picture, the dye accidentally spilled it, so it looked like a mole. When submitted to the king, the picture was greatly admired by the king. However, the king was suspicious of Ki Sungging Adi Luwih if he might have seen his queen naked due to the shape of a mole on the thigh in the picture. Ki Sungging Adi Luwih was then punished by being asked to bring a chisel and make a statue for the empress in the air, namely by riding a kite.

The carving that was nearly finished he was suddenly hit by a strong wind and carried by the wind to Bali. This is the reason why people in Bali are also known as master sculpture makers. Meanwhile, the chisel used by Ki Sungging Adi Luwih fell behind a mountain and the area was recognized by the residents of Jepara as a place for the development of carving.

The art of carving in Jepara is now growing and supporting the economy in the area. Jepara carvings themselves have unique characteristics as proof if the carvings are originally made by Jepara or not. Then, what are the characteristics of Jepara carvings? Here is a complete explanation so that you are not mistaken when you want to buy.

Distinctive Motifs and Patterns
The first characteristic of Jepara's distinctive carvings can be seen from the motifs and the unique carving patterns. The carvings in each region themselves have different and of course unique characteristics. The distinctive feature of the typical Jepara carving is the trubusan leaf motif.

In addition, there are also depictions of fruits totalling 3 or four at the base of the leaves. This is one of the characteristics of the original Jepara carving. Another distinctive feature is that the stalk of the relung rotates lengthwise and spreads so that it forms several small branches that fill the space added to add beauty. Here are some elements that are usually in Jepara carving motifs:
- Stacking Fruits: Stacking fruits that are usually found in Jepara carving techniques are round but not entirely round. Then, the carving is covered with flower buds, neatly arranged and parallel, getting smaller.
- Leaves of Tassels: Relung stalks which are also called relung are a kind of long-form Jepara carving. It is flexible and coiled followed by fiber. Generally, the carving of these relung will follow the pattern, namely adjusting the leaves of the tubers.
- Rubusan: Trubusan is a motif from Jepara carving which consists of 2 types, namely trubusan that comes out along the stem of the relung in the shape of a leaf and trubusan that comes out of a branch or segment, namely trubusan in the form of fruit in a long line or stack.
  
  Each leaf in the original Jepara carving motif has a triangular shape which is then used as an extension. However, over time, this form of extension is made into a concave or krawing shape. The combined motif is made into a translucent or krawangan shape so that the carvings look very good. That way, the carving motifs from Jepara are widely used by craftsmen in decorating furniture as well as for other household needs
Jepara Carving Looks Very Detailed and Lifelike
The distinctive feature of the original Jepara carving is that it looks detailed and looks like it is alive when compared to carvings from other regions. The details of the Jepara carvings appear to be made with great care, namely the carving lines of the objects look smooth and detailed. Jepara carvers are people who have been highly trained in making Jepara carvings while maintaining the details of each object.

One of the applications of this carving is for furniture. The fixtures of Jepara furniture use carvings from Jepara which are used as decoration. Jepara teak furniture usually has very good carving results. This is because the texture of teak wood is easier to carve. Also, furniture made of teak wood can last longer than furniture made of other types of wood.
Excellent Engraving Stain Technique
Colouring is needed so that it can give a good impression to an object, including the carving. The next characteristic of Jepara's original carving is the colouring technique used. The technique used is very good so that the colour results do not fade easily, attractive, and look smoother.
Carving Functions and Tools in General
- Penguku Carving Tool
  The penguku carving tool has a shape resembling a human nail. It is used for making hollows in wood because the chisel is curved. Generally, the number is as many as 20 and a minimum of 17 blades. As for the sizes also vary, namely 2.5 mm, 3.5 mm, 5 mm, 5.5 mm, 6.5 mm, 8 mm, 1 cm, 11.5 mm, 1.3 cm, 11.4 mm or 1.5 cm, 1.6 cm, 18.5 mm or 1.9 cm, 2.1 cm, 2.4 cm, 2.6 cm, 2.9 cm and 3.5 cm.
- Penyilat Carving Tool
  Penyilat carving tools that are used to smooth or brush the wood scratches function to flatten the flat part of the wood that has been carved before continuing with modif in the form of a circular or hollow motif. The chisel has a sharp straight downward shape with a total of 10 blades. Typical sizes are 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 6 mm, 1 cm, 1.4 cm, 1.8 cm, 2.4 cm, and 3.5 cm.
- Kol Carving Tool
  The next carving tool is kol which has a shape like a letter C. This is used to add indentation to the penguku so that later they can be deeper. If the nail metal body is straight, the kol metal body is slightly curved like a curved line of a crescent moon. The chisel is very sharp towards the top which generally amounts to 5 to 7 pieces. The sizes for each are 6mm, 7 mm, 1 cm, 1.6 cm, 1.9 cm, 2.3 cm, and 2.8 cm.
- Coret Carving Tool
  The next carving tool is a coret engraving tool, which is a support for the penyilat. This carving tool is used to tidy up parts of the carving corners which are difficult to do when using a penyilat. This carving tool is called the coret because it can be used to cross the carved wood surface without having to be hit with a hammer. The chisel of this carving tool is in a circular shape of 45 degrees with a shape like a letter V with a total of 3.5 to 6 blades. Meanwhile, the size itself varies, such as 3 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7.5 mm, and 9.5 mm.
- Pembuluk Carving Tool
  The next carving tool that is commonly used to make original Jepara carvings is a pembuluk tool. This tool is used to complement the Jepara carving craftsmen so that they can smooth out the indentations and the cavities of the carving space which are difficult to do, although sometimes this tool is also not needed. The tip of the chisel has a shape like a penyilat but is added with a hollow like a penguku.
  
  It can be said that this carving tool is like a combination of penguku and penyilat with the general size used is 6 mm. As for the metal length of each type of carving tool, it is generally between 18 to 22 cm. For a size of 18 cm, it is generally found in a coret type carving tool because this tool uses a wooden handle to make it easier to use.
- Hammer Carving Tool
  For hammer carving tools, the length of the handle is generally 17 to 18 cm. If it is less or more than the usual size, it is not too comfortable to wear. The purpose of the size of this tool is to be able to balance the weight of the hammer or ganden head, which is around 400 to 500 grams depending on the wood material used. While the type of quality wood that is generally used is wood from sapodilla trees. Not only light, but the wood from the sapodilla tree is also very strong but still soft so that the metal that is being hit does not bounce easily.
- Sharpening Stone Carving Tool
  For a carving tool in the form of a whetstone, it does not seem that important. Engraving tools that are usually used and the subpar quality of the metal will usually cause the carving tool to dull more easily. This also applies if the appliance is used less frequently so it is easier to rust. If this is the case, the whetstone will be very useful and usually measures 18 x 3.5 cm and weighs between 100 and 400 grams.
- Box
  The last tool is a box that is useful for storing all carving tools after use. This is useful for protecting children from sharp carving tools. Besides, the carving tool also functions to maintain the quality of the metal and its sharpness is more durable and avoid moisture and heat generated by the scorching sun.
  
  The length of the box is generally 24 cm x 7 cm with a thickness of about 1 to 1.5 cm. However, if it is made of thin plywood, it will only weigh about 80 grams.