# The Keris Collector > Preserve Through Discovery ## Posts - [eBook - 20th Century Impressions of British Malaya](https://thekeriscollector.com/ebook-20th-century-impressions-of-british-malaya/) - [2026 - Malay Heritage Centre Docent Training Programme - Presentation Slides](https://thekeriscollector.com/malay-heritage-centre-docent-training-programme-presentation-slides/): This content is password-protected. To view it, please enter the password below. Password: - [A Rock That Didn’t Begin Here](https://thekeriscollector.com/a-rock-that-didnt-begin-here/): A newly acquired 2.5kg stony iron meteorite joins the collection. Dense, magnetic, and nickel-positive, it invites both scientific curiosity and quiet reflection. This post explores identification basics, the temptation to slice it open, and the strange calm of holding a fragment of deep cosmic time. - [A Wall That Remembers](https://thekeriscollector.com/a-wall-that-remembers/): The content reflects on a 2026 tear-off calendar featuring the horse, symbolizing swift success. Instead of discarding it, the author preserves it on a wall filled with personal memorabilia, emphasizing the importance of tangible reminders of life experiences. This chaotic yet meaningful display serves as a living archive, highlighting enduring values. - [The Blue Tick, and What It Actually Means](https://thekeriscollector.com/the-blue-tick-and-what-it-actually-means/): I woke up to a small icon that carries more weight than it looks. Meta has officially verified all my accounts across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. The blue tick now sits beside The Keris Collector on every official platform. On the surface, it’s just a badge. A symbol people chase, argue about, or dismiss as vanity. But to be honest, that’s never what this was about. Verification is not a reward for popularity. It’s recognition of consistency, authenticity, and accountability. It tells the public that this is the real account, the real voice, and the real body of work behind […] - [2025 - Channel News Asia | Hobsessions: Blades of Passion](https://thekeriscollector.com/2025-channel-news-asia-hobsessions-blades-of-passion/): Watch The Re-Play Here Blades, Obsession, and What Didn’t Make the Cut When Hobsessions: Blades of Passion aired on Sunday, 14 December 2025 at 8.30pm on Channel NewsAsia, I watched it with the same quiet mix of pride and curiosity as everyone else. Another media feature. Another moment where a very personal world became public. What most viewers never see, though, is everything that happened long before the broadcast. The filming took place much earlier in the year, sometime in May, stretched across two full days, starting as early as 8am and wrapping up around 6pm each day. Long hours. […] - [Rail Corridor Trail: What Nature Shows When You Slow Down](https://thekeriscollector.com/rail-corridor-trail-what-nature-shows-when-you-slow-down/): I took a slow walk through the northern rail corridor recently, starting at Yew Tee and ending near Kranji Reservoir after passing the War Memorial and State Cemetery. It wasn’t a dramatic expedition. Just a steady, unhurried trail accompanied by a trained naturalist who could read the landscape the way some people read a familiar book. And somewhere along those tracks, something shifted a little for me. Most of my days are spent surrounded by relics, manuscripts, blades forged centuries ago, and the stories of people who shaped our past. I love that world. It grounds me. But this walk […] - [A One-Minute Win and the Illusion of Safety](https://thekeriscollector.com/a-one-minute-win-and-the-illusion-of-safety/): Earlier today, I wrapped up an online chess game in under a minute. It was one of those quick, instinctive matches where you barely have time to breathe, let alone calculate ten moves ahead. And yet, something about this one stayed with me. On the surface, my position looked terrible. Pieces were scattered, my king seemed exposed, and half my army had been traded away in what looked like reckless aggression. Anyone glancing at the board would have assumed I had over-extended and bled too many resources. Meanwhile, my opponent sat deep behind a wall of pawns and pieces, convinced […] - [A New Mystery Arrives On My Desk](https://thekeriscollector.com/a-new-mystery-arrives-on-my-desk/): There’s a small thrill that comes with a new hardcover arriving by courier. Especially when it’s wrapped in that unmistakable Dan Brown energy, the promise of codes, symbols, conspiracies, and a few late nights you’ll regret the next morning but secretly enjoy anyway. Today it happened again. Dan Brown’s latest instalment in the Robert Langdon series is finally in my hands. I first stumbled into Langdon’s world through The Da Vinci Code, way before movies and internet debates and endless theories made it a cultural phenomenon. Back then it just felt like discovering a doorway into a world where history […] - [The Ritual of Wrapping Books: One Story at a Time](https://thekeriscollector.com/the-ritual-of-wrapping-books-one-story-at-a-time/): There’s a kind of ritual I’ve come to cherish, especially when a fresh stack of books arrives. It doesn’t involve reading, not yet. It begins much earlier, with scissors, contact paper, a bone folder, and a bit of quiet intention. Yes, I wrap my books. And no, it’s not just about keeping them neat. Earlier this week, I started on my November book haul. One down; Concept of a Hero in Malay Society by Shaharuddin Maaruf; and a dozen or so left to go. It’s slow work by design. Each book gets a few moments of attention, laid flat on […] - [The Quiet Art of Ex-Libris: A Personal Reflection](https://thekeriscollector.com/the-quiet-art-of-ex-libris-a-personal-reflection/): I grew up in a time when ex-libris bookplates were still quietly present in homes and personal libraries. They were small printed designs or stamped seals, placed carefully on the inside cover of a book. A mark of ownership. A signature of a journey. A gentle, almost poetic way to say: this book belongs to me, and I belong to it. The term ex-libris comes from Latin, meaning “from the library of.” The tradition dates back to the 15th century, when printed books were still rare treasures. Book owners — scholars, nobles, collectors — affixed personalised plates to honour their […] - [A Library You Can Walk Into Without Knocking](https://thekeriscollector.com/a-library-you-can-walk-into-without-knocking/): I’ve always believed that a collection tells people more about us than any biography ever could. The books we hold onto, the ones we return to, they are footprints of how we have learned to see the world. I started archiving my personal book collection on Libib back in 2019. Exploring its features initially and eventually fell in love with its use. If you are unfamiliar, Libib is a cloud-based cataloguing platform that lets you build your own library online. You can scan books by barcode, enter details manually for older titles, and organise everything into neat, themed collections. The […] - [A Book Arrives: Melayu Mahawangsa](https://thekeriscollector.com/a-book-arrives-melayu-mahawangsa/): Earlier this afternoon, a package arrived by courier. No fanfare, no prior hint. Just a quiet delivery left at the door. Inside it was a book titled Melayu Mahawangsa: Tanah Air, Sejarah, Kerajaan dan Peradabannya. A simple gift, but it felt like it carried more than printed pages. So, to the friend who sent this, thank you. You probably knew what string this would pull. I spent a while just holding the book before opening its plastic wrap. There are some titles that make you pause. They speak to something older inside you. This was one of them. The Malay […] - [In Memory of Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr. Ahmat Adam](https://thekeriscollector.com/in-memory-of-emeritus-professor-datuk-dr-ahmat-adam/): Today, I received the deeply saddening news that Datuk Dr Ahmat Adam, one of Malaysia’s most respected historians and critical thinkers, has passed away. Though I never had the chance to meet him in person, we had been connected online since 2017 and over the years, he became more than just a scholar I admired. He was a voice of reason, a fearless intellect, and a generous online friend who never hesitated to share insights, correct inaccuracies, and provoke deeper thought. His passing marks not only the loss of a towering academic figure but also the silencing of a rare […] - [Ink of the Unbroken: Masuri S.N. and the Sacred Fire of Conscience](https://thekeriscollector.com/ink-of-the-unbroken-masuri-s-n-and-the-sacred-fire-of-conscience/): I. Introduction In an age saturated with ideological noise and cultural distraction, the quiet moral courage of literary figures like Masuri S.N. is not just rare; it is vital. Masuri, one of Singapore’s most enduring Malay literary voices, did not see poetry as mere ornament. He saw it as intervention. As ethical labor. As sacred struggle. This essay reflects on Masuri’s moral imagination as portrayed in Dr. Azhar Ibrahim’s feature in Berita Minggu (October 19, 2025), and connects it to my own literary inquiries—works that resist pseudohistory, reactionary myth-making, and ideological distortion. At its heart, this is a call to […] - [A Beginner's Guide: Top Five Keris Collected In Singapore](https://thekeriscollector.com/a-beginners-guide-top-five-keris-collected-in-singapore/): Have you ever wondered which keris styles are the most sought after by collectors in Singapore? Since 2015, I’ve been tracking trends, conversations, auction results, private sale patterns, and general collector preferences here on our island. Over time, a clear pattern began to emerge. So today, I’ll walk you through the top five keris styles collected in Singapore, from the more common entry-level pieces to the highly prized and competitive ones. But before we get into the list, it’s important to understand something. People sometimes assume that all keris are the same. A dagger is a dagger, right?Not exactly. Even […] - [A Beginner's Guide: Starting A Keris Collection In Singapore](https://thekeriscollector.com/a-beginners-guide-starting-a-keris-collection-in-singapore/): So, you’ve thought about collecting keris. Maybe you saw one in a museum, or your grandfather had one, or the beauty of the craftsmanship just stayed in your mind. But then the questions begin. Is it legal? Do I need a license? Will I get into trouble? This is actually the most common hesitation I see, especially in Singapore where weapon laws are strict for good reasons. So I made a video in 2021 to explain the basics. Since then, things have changed. As of 1 July 2025, the old Arms and Explosives Act has been replaced with the Guns, […] - [Eulogy for Emeritus Professor Dr. John N. Miksic](https://thekeriscollector.com/eulogy-for-professor-john-n-miksic/): I first met Professor Miksic in 2004, during the archaeological excavation at St Andrew’s Cathedral. I was still young, still trying to understand what heritage really means beyond the surface of old stones and museum labels. He didn’t teach by grand speeches or by imposing authority. He taught by presence. By curiosity. By the way he noticed things others overlooked. Over the years I collected all his books, not just to read, but to study. To learn how he thought. He shaped the way I approach history and material culture, and he gave me the confidence to pursue independent research […] - [2022 - Berita Harian | Tingginya IlmuTeknologi Melayu Terbukti Dalam Pembuatan Keris](https://thekeriscollector.com/2022-berita-harian-tingginya-ilmuteknologi-melayu-terbukti-dalam-pembuatan-keris/): 2022.A feature in Berita Harian that meant a great deal to me — an article titled “Tingginya ilmu teknologi Melayu terbukti dalam pembuatan keris.” It explored what I’ve always believed deeply: that the keris is not merely a weapon or heirloom, but a testament to the scientific, artistic, and technological sophistication of the Malay world. Every line, every fold of pamor, every curve in the blade tells a story of metallurgy, philosophy, and mastery passed down through centuries. When the journalist visited my gallery, we spoke at length about how modern minds often overlook the genius embedded in traditional craftsmanship. […] - [2021 - Mediacorp Berita Jam 8 | PBS Television News Feature](https://thekeriscollector.com/2021-mediacorp-berita-jam-8-pbs-television-news-feature/): 2021.I found myself on screen for the first time. The segment was titled “Keris diberi nafas baru di kota kosmopolitan S’pura”. BERITA Mediacorp It felt like a milestone — not because of the lights or the camera, but because it marked a moment when the world I’ve quietly been living in (the world of the keris, of heritage) stepped into a broader spotlight. When I started out, it was just curiosity: steel, patterns, stories whispered between generations. Over the years, that curiosity became purpose. Purpose became voice. And in 2021, I had a chance to share it via Malay television […] - [eBook - Origins Of The Malay Keris](https://thekeriscollector.com/ebook-origins-of-the-malay-keris/) - [eBook - Tulang Mawas Re-Examined](https://thekeriscollector.com/ebook-tulang-mawas-re-examined/) - [2017 - Channel News Asia | Singapore’s Keris Collector Defends His Malay Heritage One Blade At A Time](https://thekeriscollector.com/2017-channel-news-asia-singapores-keris-collector-defends-his-malay-heritage-one-blade-at-a-time/): 2017.After two decades of quiet collecting, documenting, and teaching, my journey as The Keris Collector finally crossed into the English media — featured by Channel NewsAsia under the headline:“Defending Malay heritage, one blade at a time.” It was more than a personal milestone. It marked a bridge — between generations, between languages, between worlds that seldom meet. While others collected cards and comics in their youth, I collected stories etched in steel — the keris, that living heirloom of our region. By 2017, what began as fascination had grown into a lifelong duty: to preserve, educate, and rekindle appreciation for […] - [2019 - Mediacorp Warna 94.2 | PBS Live On Air Radio Feature](https://thekeriscollector.com/2019-mediacorp-warna-94-2-live-on-air-radio-feature/): 2019.After years of writing, speaking, and quietly working behind the scenes, I finally found myself behind a different kind of mic — this time at Mediacorp Warna 94.2FM. It was my debut radio appearance on Cuba-Cuba Espresso with A B Shaik and Mariam Mas’od, where we spoke about my journey as The Keris Collector, the deeper meaning behind each blade, and why preserving cultural heritage is not about the past, but about continuity. There was laughter, reflection, and that unmistakable energy of sharing something close to the heart — in our own language, to our own people. That morning marked […] - [eBook - Senjata Tradisional Daerah Sulawesi Selatan](https://thekeriscollector.com/ebook-senjata-tradisional-daerah-sulawesi-selatan/) - [eBook - Katalog Koleksi Pusaka TBMPC](https://thekeriscollector.com/ebook-katalog-koleksi-pusaka-tbmpc/) - [eBook - Keris: Materi Muatan Lokal Bidang Kebudayaan](https://thekeriscollector.com/ebook-keris-materi-muatan-lokal-bidang-kebudayaan/) - [eBook - Nilai Didaktis Keris Nusantara](https://thekeriscollector.com/ebook-nilai-didaktis-keris-nusantara/) - [2014 - Berita Harian | Taman Pentas Budaya Dan Riadah](https://thekeriscollector.com/2014-berita-harian-taman-pentas-budaya-dan-riadah/): 2014.A decade after my early adventures with relics, I found myself on a different kind of field — not a site of excavation, but a garden, surrounded by children, families, and fellow heritage enthusiasts. That day, Berita Harian featured our community programme at Singapore Botanical Gardens , where we blended tradition with togetherness — silat demonstrations, keris appreciation, and the simple joy of passing knowledge from one generation to the next. We weren’t just performing; we were reminding. That our heritage isn’t meant to gather dust behind glass, but to live, breathe, and move — in the open air, under […] - [Keris Mandat/Hukum/Alang Panjang Melayu Sumatera](https://thekeriscollector.com/keris-mandat-hukum-alang-panjang-melayu-sumatera/): This content is password-protected. To view it, please enter the password below. Password: - [2007 - Berita Harian | Masyarakat DiAjak Sertai Usaha Perkaya Warisan](https://thekeriscollector.com/2007-berita-harian-masyarakat-diajak-sertai-usaha-perkaya-warisan/): 2007.Berita Harian ran a story that marked another turning point in my journey — the founding of Relic Hunters Singapore, and the beginning of something larger than a hobby. What started as a fascination with relics slowly evolved into a mission: to educate, preserve, and reconnect people with the tangible echoes of our past. From keris to ancient artefacts, every object became a portal — a reminder that history is not confined to museums, but scattered among us, waiting to be rediscovered. We began sharing knowledge, holding exhibitions, and teaching others how to look beyond rust and dust — to […] - [Keris Selit Melayu Semenanjung](https://thekeriscollector.com/keris-selit-melayu-semenanjung/): This content is password-protected. To view it, please enter the password below. Password: - [2005 - Berita Minggu | Cari Harta Karun](https://thekeriscollector.com/2005-berita-minggu-cari-harta-karun/): The year was 2005.Berita Minggu ran a story titled “Cari Harta Karun.” That was me — standing there, somewhere between curiosity and conviction, holding a metal detector and following a faint signal beneath the earth. I didn’t know it then, but that moment marked the quiet beginning of a lifelong pursuit… the world of relics, antiques, and forgotten stories. Every artefact, every corroded edge and glimmering fragment, whispers of hands long gone — of lives once lived. What started as a fascination with “what lies beneath” became something deeper: a quest to understand the echoes of our own past. Some […] - [Keris Tajong Melayu Semenanjung Bertatah Suasa](https://thekeriscollector.com/keris-tajong-melayu-semenanjung-bertatah-suasa/): This content is password-protected. To view it, please enter the password below. Password: - [1996 - Berita Harian | Negara Maju Dengan Rakyat Bermoral Tinggi](https://thekeriscollector.com/1996-berita-harian-negara-maju-dengan-rakyat-bermoral-tinggi/): Throwback to 1996.My very first essay ever published — written in Malay and sent to Berita Harian for their “Coretan Remaja” column. The topic was on moral values, something that struck a chord with me even as a teenager. I still remember typing it out carefully and mailing it in (no email submissions back then), and the small thrill of seeing my name in print a few weeks later. If I recall correctly, the reward was fifty dollars for each published piece — but honestly, the feeling of being selected meant far more. One of those little victories that stays […] - [The Seven Tools of Mastery: Reinterpreting the Symbolism of Besi Tujuh Pa](https://thekeriscollector.com/the-seven-tools-of-mastery-reinterpreting-the-symbolism-of-besi-tujuh-pa/): Myths, Metals, and Meaning Across the Malay world, the keris is more than a weapon. It is an artifact of layered meaning, shaped by tradition, infused with symbolism, and wrapped in myth. Among the many beliefs surrounding its crafting, one peculiar claim has gained traction in recent years: Besi Tujuh Pa. According to this narrative, a keris forged from seven tools; each beginning with the Jawi letter “Pa”; possesses exceptional spiritual strength and endows its owner with influence, protection, and power. At first glance, it appears like another mystical inheritance from the deep past. But closer scrutiny reveals something different; […] - [License To Possess Weapons In Singapore](https://thekeriscollector.com/license-to-possess-weapons-in-singapore/): Effective 1st July 2025, a license to possess weapons will be required to keep a collection in Singapore. Watch the following explainer video for more details. - [2024 - Geylang Serai Heritage Gallery Open House - Presentation Slides](https://thekeriscollector.com/geylang-serai-heritage-gallery-open-house-presentation-slides/): This content is password-protected. To view it, please enter the password below. Password: - [2024, September 8 | Geylang Serai Heritage Gallery Open House](https://thekeriscollector.com/2024-2/): Keris Mysteries Unlocked with Khairi Johari Event is FINISHED Sun, 10:00 AM 1 Engku Aman, #01-05 Wisma, Turn By National Heritage Board | Education & Community Outreach Division The keris, a distinctive cultural emblem indigenous to the Malay Archipelago, has long been associated with warriors, shamans and mysticism, enveloping it in an aura of mystery. Keris collector Khairi Johari, who has meticulously gathered these traditional weapons for nearly three decades, presents a rare and captivating showcase. In this exclusive presentation, Khairi unveils some of his most treasured kerises, inviting you to explore the rich histories, myths, and enduring superstitions that surround these enigmatic […] ## Pages - [PRESENTATION](https://thekeriscollector.com/presentation-decks/): For reference, here are my presentation decks for past events for reference and posterity. - [EXPERIENCE SINGAPORE BEYOND THE OBVIOUS](https://thekeriscollector.com/licensed-to-guide/): Cultural walks and heritage experiences led by a Licensed Singapore Tourist Guide. Guided by Khairi Johari, also known as Pak JoFe, The Keris Collector.Contact Us for Tours & Bookings Or To Explore Customised Tour Options Hi, I’m Khairi Johari. I’m a Licensed Singapore Tourist Guide with a deep interest in history, heritage, and living culture. I guide visitors and locals who want more than photo stops. My tours focus on context, clarity, and real stories grounded in fact. Calm. Conversational. No myths. No exaggeration. What I Offer: * Suitable for visitors, students, organisations, and curious locals. Areas & Themes I […] - [CONSULT](https://thekeriscollector.com/consult/): Private Consultation with JoFe A focused, paid session for serious conversations. No noise. No speculation. Just clarity, experience, and grounded advice. Introduction I offer private consultations for individuals and organisations seeking informed, practical insight drawn from decades of experience across heritage collecting, research, compliance, content strategy, and advisory work. This is not casual messaging or open-ended discussion. It is a structured, time-bound consultation. Payment is required to ensure the session remains focused, respectful, and productive for both sides. What this consultation is for What this consultation is NOT for If you are seeking quick validation or argument rather than clarity, […] - [BLOG](https://thekeriscollector.com/blog/): There are days when life is filled with meetings, projects, readings, conversations, and the little discoveries that come along the way. And sometimes I realise these moments disappear too quietly. This space is where I place them down, one entry at a time. It is not an essay, not a polished piece of research, not even a structured write-up. Just a simple record of my days, my thoughts, the things that cross my path, and the reflections that settle in when the noise fades. If it gives you a small window into how I observe the world or how I […] - [CHAT](https://thekeriscollector.com/chat/): Need help? Contact me today! - [JOFE](https://thekeriscollector.com/jofe/): Overview: An eclectic blend of entrepreneurship, IT consulting, academia, and historical preservation, Khairi Johari, popularly known as Pak JoFe, stands at the intersection of technology and Malay cultural heritage. Educational Foundation:  Pak JoFe’s academic journey spans continents and disciplines, from Mass Communications with a focus on Journalism and Liberal Arts at the University of Oklahoma City (USA), to specialized diplomas in Mechatronics Engineering from Ngee Ann Polytechnic (Singapore), Computing Science from Monash University (Australia), and Business Management from UNISIM (Singapore), now known as SUSS. Passion for Preservation:  Initiating his collecting odyssey in 1997, Pak JoFe has spent nearly three decades […] - [MY NEWS FEATURES](https://thekeriscollector.com/news/): List of News Features Throughout My Life Time - [EVENTS](https://thekeriscollector.com/events/): Our past and future events! Upcoming Events Past Events - [RESOURCES](https://thekeriscollector.com/resources/): Check out these interesting reads! eBooks Libib - [VIDEOS](https://thekeriscollector.com/videos/): Here are some videos to get you started with your collecting journey in Singapore! Watch This First!!! Getting Started Advanced Topics - [ESSAYS](https://thekeriscollector.com/essays/): Here are some of my essays for your reading pleasure! Keris Related Non-Keris Related - [COLLECTION](https://thekeriscollector.com/collection/): Where Steel Meets Soul Every keris carries a story — of its maker, its journey, and the world it was forged in.Here, the collection unfolds not just as objects, but as living witnesses to history, art, and identity. Each piece is studied, documented, and preserved with care. You’ll find details of origin, craftsmanship, condition, and context — all presented with transparency and respect for authenticity. This digital archive brings together the many dimensions of the keris: weapon, heirloom, symbol, and work of art. It is a space for scholars, collectors, and the simply curious to see how culture takes form […] - [KERIS](https://thekeriscollector.com/keris/): Here are some videos to help you understand what is a keris! The Keris Collector This video invites you into a world where culture, craft, and spirit meet in steel.It explores what truly makes a keris, not just by form or function, but by soul and story.From island to island, the keris left its mark, crossing kingdoms, belief systems, and generations.To trace its path is to follow the echoes of an ancient civilisation that still breathes through every blade. Here is a memorable video produced by the National Heritage Board in collaboration with the National Museum of Singapore back in […] ## Optional - [Agent (MCP protocol)](websites-agents.hostinger.com/thekeriscollector.com/mcp) [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)