The Thousand Mask Warrior

Grandpa Keling and Rajah Nagataksaka

The Mataram Kingdom under the rule of Sultan Agung Hanyakrakusuma intends to make his kingdom a center of government as well as a center of Islam. He does not want another power that is just as strong. He was worried that the dignity and honor of Mataram would fall in the eyes of the community if there were other powers that are also influential in Java.

Sultan Agung initially did not use the title of Sultan but he bore the title of Sunan or Susuhunan in 1624 AD. The title of new Sultan he wore in 1641 AD when his emissary returned from Mecca. When Sultan Agung was crowned king of the Mataram kingdom in 1613 AD, it only took one year he had begun to attack with the aim of conquest of the kingdoms in the eastern tip of Java such as Surabaya and Pasuruan in 1614 AD.

Although this attack had not been successful, the Surabaya troops were defeated and failed in a sudden counterattack attempt when the Mataram forces were on their way back to Mataram. The sky above the island of Java flushed as if knowing that a world leader had begun to put his hand into a clear lake and stirred it to a murky level.

The conquest of Surabaya was noted as one of the most difficult things for Mataram. Sultan Agung also still conquered various areas that are considered important, especially those related to Surabaya or Java in general. For example, in 1615, Sultan Agung with his Mataram forces controlled Wirasaba which controlled the gate leading to the mouth of the Brantas river. This conquest was even led directly by Sultan Agung himself with his troops like rangrangjak ants into biting and tearing the skin of Wirasaba troops.

This attack was so important that it was led directly by the king because Wirasaba was located in the former place where the Majapahit kingdom, the largest kingdom in the archipelago of the past, was located. This is a symbol of the new Javanese power that has been grasped by Sultan Agung. He seemed to convey to all the kings in the land of Java, the archipelago and foreign that the sky has appointed a new leader who received a direct mandate from Majapahit to return to become the ruler and emperor.

Surabaya and the kingdoms that were hostile to him then even united because they saw a great threat from Mataram. Surabaya and Tuban united against Mataram's rule in Pajang. But Mataram has a reliable password or spy in Tuban. While the ruler of Pajang also did not want to help the combined forces of Surabaya and Tuban, so the Surabaya troops were deliberately criticized by Mataram spies to attack through Siwalan. It was there that the Surabaya troops were crushed by the greatness of the knights of Mataram. They were surrounded and pushed to the beach. Samudra swallowed the blood and ate the corpses of Surabaya and Tuban troops.

Mataram continued to advance to the East end like an arrow shot from his bow, unable to be held back. Victory over Lasem and Pasuruan a year later in 1616 and 1617 AD and Pajang himself who wanted to try to rebel. For this act, the city of Pajang was completely punished by being destroyed.

The fire soared into space like a sacrificial fire to the gods during the kingdom of Vishnu and Shiwa. The bodies were scattered with severe punishments for Pajang officers and officials. Pajang was almost destroyed because the residents were forced to flock to Mataram. Rows of people coiled like snakes along the coast and mountains with Mataram troops escorted to be residents of the Mataram kingdom, maybe also as slaves from the defeated area.

Tuban also finished his history in an attempt to fight against the power of the Mataram kingdom. One of Surabaya's most important allies was defeated by the attack of Mataram forces in 1619 AD. Sultan Agung also finally controlled the coastal area which has rich timber resources that can be used to build warships. Of course Tuban and its wood and its location on the coast are used by Sultan Agung to later attack Surabaya again.

A year later, 1620, until 1625 AD Sultan Agung constantly attacked Surabaya by destroying and destroying its crops. The Brantas River was even dammed to stop the water rations for the residents of the Surabaya kingdom.

During this attack on Surabaya, Sultan Agung also did not stop fighting to conquer other areas. Another ally of Surabaya, Sukadana kingdom on Tanjung Pura island, was conquered. Sukadana Kingdom which has the basic ingredients of the best sharp weapon maker in the archipelago was forced to stop its relationship with Surabaya and change to send its resources to Mataram. This also happened to Madura, an island inhabited by strong people and reliable knights was conquered even with tremendous losses from the kingdom of Mataram and war is very tiring.

Surabaya was now alone so they had to give up losing in 1625 AD. This surrender was actually not due to defeat due to war. Surabaya's army was still very strong, but starvation and the destruction of food resources made them choose to surrender.

The ruler of Surabaya, the Jayalengkara, allowed to stay in Surabaya and become a subordinate of Mataram, but his son, Prince Pekik, was ordered to live in the sacred tomb of Sunan Ampel-Denta near Surabaya to be imprisoned and learn more about religion. Prince Pekik was the one who then led the Surabaya and Mataram forces with his wife, Ratu Pandhansari, attacked Giri and Prince Pekik himself who thrust the spear Kyai Plered into Jayaseta' body. Historical records show that the Surabaya troops were indeed a fighting force.

The attack on the Giri Circumcision began in 1635 AD. This is also an act of the Mataram government which is still actively expanding its power in a large way. In the 1625s after Mataram conquered Surabaya, almost all kingdoms on the island of Java were conquered except for Blambangan who were still Vishnu and Shiwa, while Cerbon expressed his loyalty to Mataram.

The Kingdom of Giri Kedaton, located in the area of Gresik, eastern Java, reached its peak during the leadership of Sunan Prapen who ruled from 1548 to 1605 AD. The subsequent leadership of the Giri kingdom by Sunan Kawis Guwa was clearly rejecting Giri's submission to the Mataram kingdom when Mataram was bitterly expanding the wings of power.

The war was inevitable, and it was Prince Pekik and Queen Pandhansari who were asked to force Giri to surrender. The strength of Endrasena along with his two hundred troops and the santri warriors of the Giri knights were so strong that it was difficult to conquer. Only a year later, in 1636 AD, Giri fell to the onslaught of Surabaya troops accompanied by Mataram forces.

The Kingdom of Giri Kedaton itself was also a large kingdom. The palace is a seven-story building located on a high hill. The palace doors face east and north. This palace is quite sturdy because in addition to being built using rock, to reach it must also go through stone steps as well. These stone invitations encircled the multi-level palace so that it resembled a fortress.

The invitations of the terrace are getting up the smaller. From the top of the palace can be seen clearly the state of the Giri community below. Similarly, if there is an attack from the enemy. To reach the palace alone must pass through a very long stone staircase.

Basically to attack the kingdom of Giri Kedaton is very necessary great strength. The army of santri Giri was scattered below, while Endrasena and his Chinese santri army were scattered along the steps upward towards the Keraton. No wonder Mataram took a full year to subdue Giri Kedaton.

By the time Jayaseta was nine years old, precisely in 1630 AD, Giri refused to submit to Mataram. It has been heating up ever since. Not all Giri people agreed with the decision against the largest kingdom in Java at that time. Nine years of age is the childhood of Jayaseta who is fairly ready to mature at that time.

In the archipelago often marriages occur at an age that is considered young in foreign countries. The age of twelve or thirteen is already a ripe age for marriage as occurs in Bali and Banten. There is another reason, namely that girls aged around ten years were mated to avoid them being led to the palace to be slaves when their father died. But this doesn't happen everywhere either.

However, Jayaseta was not concerned about the turmoil of power and disputes on the basis of religion and dynasty that occurred on the island of Java, especially the tensions that erupted between Giri and Mataram. Mataram spies are said to be spread in various directions before the war exploded five years later. At this young age, silatnya science has developed rapidly. Jayaseta is immersed in her training activities. He continues to train with diligent canuragannya ability.

The techniques of Chinese silat from his father run out he was greedy. The empty-handed moves that his father practiced were quickly mastered. These Chinese moves are very fast but powerful and very flexible. Iron Fist, Dragon Claws, Eight Wind Tracker Boxing Steps, even the compositions of the Buddhist Palm style by the Muslim Hui tribe were very well revealed. Not until there, from the santri soldiers, Jayaseta managed to learn the typical silat movements of Giri soldiers who are clay, short but very precise target to subdue the opponent. From various types of courses he learned, Jayaseta really liked the famous style of Garuda Nglayang and Claw Tigers.

Although it does not care about the complex problems of state and religion that are thick with differences and hostility on the island of Java, the strong characteristic of Jayaseta is its tendency to be sensitive to injustice and arbitrariness. It does not matter what the issue is, but if the weak are oppressed, he does not hesitate to intervene.

This is what happens when a friend is being bullied by three much older boys. The three teenage boys were already about thirteen or fourteen years old. They beat, stomped and even spat on the weaker victim because he insisted that Giri should not give up against Mataram. It appears that the three older children included children who defended Mataram. Perhaps their parents are the group who agree with Mataram and influence the child.

Without a second thought when Jayaseta met this directly hit the three children who were far above his age. The three teenagers were indeed bigger and looked stronger, but Jayaseta with his moves managed to hit the three down. In fact, the three children were not just teenagers.

They also received training in kanuragan science from their teacher who is one of the most respected silat teachers in Giri. What makes all three confused is because the twelve-year-old boy uses difficult-to-guess moves. Jayaseta moves like a drunk but his movements are precise. Several times he changed all the moves he had ever learned.

He even melted the Tiger Claw with Garuda Nglayang. Where one hand forms a claw, while the other hand expands to form the wings of a garuda.

When attacking an enemy the claws of a tiger and wings break down mercilessly. Jayaseta's attacks are like a tiger with wings. Isn't it dangerous when there are such animals? As the ultimate, Iron Fist managed to make the last person unconscious.

The other two teenagers who felt their pride was defeated by a small child whose age was far below them, let alone one of their friends collapsed, did not hesitate to attack Jayaseta using a weapon. The two blades of the machete they brought in to search for firewood in the forest were used obviously to injure Jayaseta as badly as possible. They may have even intended to kill Jayaseta.

This is not a difficult thing for a Jayaseta who a while ago had been introduced by his father and grandfather with weapons and how to use them. Two firewood blades the size of his arms he used on his right and left hands. He imagined holding his father's jian and his grandfather's Damascus shamsir sword.

He circled around, jumped and twitched agilely slashing the arms of his enemies until the machete was thrown down then paralyzed them by beating the waist and nape of the opponent in two movements only. So great was Jayaseta and so sensitive to his soul to injustice that fight after fight was difficult to avoid.

He became known in his village as a champion even though he was still young. Both parents though perfumed for his son's actions, they are also hassles and can not be avoided from problems anyway. They are often considered unable to manage the child properly. But how else? Jayaseta's actions were basically defending the weak.

Therefore, in order not to bother his family and people he knew and loved, at the thirteenth age Jayaseta began to know the mask. He covered his face with a scabbard when he beat two bagundals in the village next door. Both people are known to be powerful but often interfere with food stalls by asking for free food, money, and even often sleep haphazardly in the stalls so as to disturb the guests.

By tying the scabbard to his head and making a gap only to his eyes, Jayaseta severely crushed the two men by sliding the shoulder bones of one of the mules with Iron Fist and battering his fellows using Gledek Kick and Bogem Watu Langit, respectively, the silat moves he learned clandestinely when watching the moves were demonstrated in an exercise by Kyai Sumpana within the royal walls.

From there he understood that the mask made him avoid problems. Not only that, such a mask gave her magical power and high confidence. With a mask he can also think clearly. As at the age of fourteen, where he faced a gangongan, people who appear in the art of reog as a person who is agile and has the ability to martial qualified.

For some reason, this gang that should be in the art of Ponorogo symbolizes the young coach who is adept, strong-willed, clever but witty is even found robbing in a house of residents. Jayaseta who accidentally passed by was unwilling to let this happen.

The state of Java which was hot by the great desire of the Mataram kingdom to conquer the entire island of Java turned out to have a considerable impact in society. Poverty and chaos are everywhere. Is it possible that this gang was abandoned from his reog group so that he had to make a living by robbing?

The gang who has matured in age or canoean science can not be defeated by a teenager. The punch after punch that rained down on his body made him flinch. Maybe even this gang is immune like a warok.

Almost desperate Jayaseta many times had to hit the body of an atos like a mountain rock, all the moves he muster but only like smoke lost in the wind. Until he accidentally saw the mask that is usually worn by a gangan in the appearance of a reog that is bright red, long-nosed and wide-eyed it reveals a wide laugh at him.

I don't know what kind of magical impulse made him roll from the ganongan kick and reach for the mask. When he put it on, a magic air entered through his crown. Behind the mask, with a hidden face, he saw the ganongan's weak point.

Jayaseta jumps up, spins around in the air and lands her fist against the chin only to outwit her attention as Jayaseta realizes that the blow is meaningless to this immune gang. Then when he got on the ground, he jumped again into the ganongan's body, using both hands to turn towards the ganongan's back, and trace his spine. The sound rattled, the ganongan collapsed to the ground. All his life he had to walk with a stick and his knowledge was lost.

Jayaseta is special. His intelligence in kanuragan turned out to be also balanced with his intelligence in various fields. Kyai Sumpana, in addition to teaching kanuragan to the santri Giri soldiers, is also a teacher who is respected in the court. From Kyai Sumpana, the ability to teach Jayaseta deepened.

From his father, Jayaseta studied Chinese script calligraphy and Chinese. From his grandfather, he also secretly learned Persian. The Javanese language along with its characters and Malay also with its jawi script is also well mastered. In short, Jayaseta is a candidate for a brilliant swordsman. But one of the things that became ‘incarannya’ then is a science of canuragan called ‘tenaga in’. In many circumstances, he often heard a variety of extraordinary aides and devotionals. Not a series of moves with real body strength, but strength that comes from within.

Immunity owned by gangongan had attracted his attention, but he did not intend to learn it because it would only interfere with the mind and spend a lot of time. It turned out that he managed to defeat. He also several times saw the students practice deep energy science that can throw the enemy from a distance. This too he felt he would spend a lot of time because it must be learned with an extraordinary mind.

Kyai Sumpana once said that in the martial world in Java, the science of internal energy is divided into two groups. First, the white group used by the Kyai and santri. This is achieved by special skills in training and breathing while fearing Allah alone. While the second group, namely the black power group, is used by criminals, shamans of false knowledge, and enemies of Islam. They use it with a bad purpose or at least for personal purposes only.

In studying this science they have a pact with a subtle creature, genie, demon, devil, or gendruwo in order to have extraordinary magic. Many of them throughout the history of Java land that is told besides being immune can also live again from death, disappear or even fly. But usually, the actors of this inner power have certain restrictions and weaknesses that make them not free to act, even though the knowledge they master is very great and frightening.

However, what makes young Jayaseta confused is when he meets Grandpa Keling, an old man with a very dark complexion and a very friendly face. This grandfather he called Grandpa Keling because he was from the land of Keling Hinduism.

In one incident, he saw with his own eyes and felt clearly that the grandfather managed to heal his two fingers that were broken due to one of the fights with Mataram spies who traveled around in Giri. At that time the Mataram spy was found beating a resident at a food stall because he was heard insulting Mataram.

The four people could not help feeling anymore because they heard the kingdom where they were serving was insulted like that. Jayaseta who is indeed from childhood has a high adventure nature and a large defense soul briefly involved in the fight.

Unfortunately, even though the four disguised Mataram soldiers were expelled before they also suffered injuries, both Jayaseta's index and middle fingers were broken because he was in a fight and tried to perform the moves he had just learned.

Grandfather Keling, a grandfather who worked as a seller of pottery and glassware beside the diner where the riot occurred, without much ability directly holding both fingers Jayaseta. Jayaseta who was surprised his fingers were grasped by a stranger immediately intended to beat the grandfather. His free left hand he used to attack the grandfather. Unexpectedly, the grandfather twitched with his suppleness. Then release both of Jayaseta's fingers and the bully goes out of the tavern.

This strange action confused Jayaseta who at that time wore a Hanuman mask. Even more astonished, his two fingers had now healed in just an instant. Since then, Jayaseta has considered Grandpa Keling as one of his teachers. He often visited the broken shop owned by the grandfather. He always sat quietly and patiently behind plates of clay and wood. A cooking furnace of clay, a pile of stone and a variety of other kitchen utensils are displayed in front of him.

Recalling the story of Kyai Sumpana, Jayaseta becomes confused, the kind of power in what the grandfather has. He is Hindu, the old religion of the land of Java and the religion of the people from the kingdom of Blambangan or the island of Bali across there. However, his behavior, his smile, his manner of speaking did not show him at all from the black flow group. He is so kind and wise. Although he does have a possible view that if Kyai Sumpena hears this will immediately ask him to stay away from the grandfather.

Grandfather Keling who refused to give his name said to little Jayaseta, “All beings move based on the destiny of Sang Hyang Widi Wasa, God, God. All creatures are part of His creation that will later return to Him.”

Jayaseta is confused. But that's how it is, it never has the nature of exaggerated religious exaltation from childhood. Not easily influenced by anyone. Only his immense human spirit and high sense of justice would make his name great.

Many times he asked Grandpa Keling to teach him the science of energy in the secret of the grandfather who made his finger heal in just an instant. The grandfather simply said, “If we are a match, one day we will meet in circumstances that force me to give you the secret, cu.”

Confused and confused again. But he never stopped to visit the small shop of the dark-bodied grandfather approaching this charcoal. He does not feel he has been friends with the black group – even though the skin of the grandfather is very black – because Jayaseta never left his five-time prayer, and never disappeared when the study time with Kyai Sumpena arrived.

Even though the grandfather was reluctant to give his inner energy, Jayaseta was taught the technique of throwing disc weapons. The sharp iron bracelet he found in the grandfather's kitchen along with his homemade kitchen items. It was this disc that he later used in his attack on Mataram's forces.

***

Nio Hongko's grave is still wet and fresh due to last night's rain. Grandpa Keling who dug up his land at that time. A year later, Jayaseta the sixteen-year-old son buried his father in an Islamic way, a day after his father was killed and he was wounded.

He stood bare-chested with Grandpa Keling beside him. His light-skinned body was very opposite to Grandpa Keling's wrinkled and thin body which was as black as soot. On his left chest was a scar of Kyai Plered's spear that could not disappear.

At that time, when Mataram and Surabaya troops were about to bury Jayaseta who was then considered dead, his father and the victims of war in the Giri forest when Grandpa Keling who despite being old with incredible speed and agility managed to overthrow two Mataram troops with his discs and carrying the bodies of Hongko and Jayaseta. The grandfather knew very well that Jayaseta's breath was still flowing between his chest cavity.

In one heavy night in his cottage, Grandpa Keling put all his strength into healing Jayaseta while the father was no longer saved due to his severe injuries. Apparently the spear Kanjeng Kyai Ageng Plered has a big name not without reason.

The spear has the ability to insert power into the metal blade or the hose. Not only poison can be implanted, but the energy inside can also be channeled through certain weapons. Later Jayaseta will find out that his grandfather has the ability to study the famous Sakheti Melting Core. This dish is used for the treatment and healing of witchcraft, witchcraft, moonshine, witchcraft and other harmful poisons.

Apparently this Kanjeng Kyai Ageng Plered spear is indeed so special and famous for its name. Some type of inner power along with the power of intention in the form of slingshots will be known as ‘kukan’. The heritage of Empu Gandring keris has also long been entrenched on the island of Java in the form of stories. But Grandpa Keling understands the truth in these stories. That's why the Sakheti Melting Core was used to fight the magic spear's curse poison along with other internal energy science that he mastered well.

Over night Jayaseta struggles with pain and death. The Grandfather then thought in his mind, maybe this is the soul mate he meant. He was forced to ‘fill the body of Jayaseta with the ability of deep energy that he had. The poison, the inner power, and the ‘curse’ on Kyai Plered's spear had penetrated in Jayaseta's blood and even soul.

Grandpa Keling dashed lightning-fast into his kitchen, broke one of his clay dishes, then took out the sharpest shards. Jayaseta with sweat and blood still flowing from the wound on his left chest was in a state of cross-legged and face that showed tremendous pain.

The Grandfather closed his eyes for a moment, prayed to the Powerful One, then sat down before Jayaseta who was cross-legged. Grandpa Keling then incised fragments of the clay plate on the edge of Jayaseta's wound. Along the gaping wound scratches the young man, the grandfather made some kind of picture, yes an image. It is commonly called rajah. Rajah that the grandfather made is not just any rajah. The grandfather described a snake-like shape, with a long, meandering body adjusting the wound, then covered it with a picture of the head of a fanged, crowned snake.

Now the wound on Jayaseta's left chest has been ‘dikurung’ by the image of a snake Nagataksaka, a dragon in Vishnu-Shiwa belief and Javanese culture, it was as if Kyai Plered's spear poison had penetrated Nagataksaka's body and could not get out. Nagataksaka form is still often used as a form of heirloom such as kris and spear because the shape is winding following the body of the dragon.

Grandpa Keling then rushed to Jayaseta's back, encrusting the second Nagataksaka in a gaping wound from being pierced by Kyai Plered's heirloom spear. With all the ability he had, the grandfather took out all his inner strength to draw the second dragon.

When he finished, Grandpa Keling threw the fragments of the blood-stained clay plate onto his ground floor, which he had, then cast a spell in ancient Sanskrit and Javanese and poke a few spots around the wound on Jayaseta's back and the bloody nicks of Nagataksaka's tattoo.

Then as the ultimate, Grandpa Keling uses both palms to channel warm air to Jayaseta's body while muttering softly, “Oh Sang Hyang Widi Wasa, God of the universe, is, The Lord Esa ruled over all human life and death. Why does this curse rest on the body of your servant who is still very young? But if he is indeed desired to have an extraordinary way of life, then what has been arranged.

“My grandchild, if you can hear me, keep this in mind. Focus your energy on three main points. Head, chest and stomach. Arrange your breath well, defeat the poison of Kyai Plered. I was inserting Nagataksaka in your body,” the voice of the faint grandfather is heard but is well understood by Jayaseta. Although never studied the science of internal energy at all, with intelligence above average, Jayaseta did what the grandfather ordered with all his strength.

That night, the extraordinary struggle of the two people with different ages produced extraordinary results as well. Jayaseta woke up in the morning with a much fitter body given the injuries she had sustained the day before. The wound***** on his thigh and the spear thrust on his left chest though it has not dried up has shown remarkable rapid healing. While the image of Nagataksaka tattoo around Kyai Plered's spear stab wound in the form of a scratch wound began to disappear. There was only sadness that then attacked Jayaseta, especially he himself who buried the body of his beloved father later.

“Now what should I do, cake?” jayaseta asked after several days of mourning for her father's death.

“Do you feel a grudge raging in your chest?” ask the grandfather.

Jayaseta's eyes glare, “No grandpa. Surprisingly I don't feel any revenge. I don't even intend to kill Mataram's men or anyone who would have me harmed and killed my father. Is that grandpa's weird? What can I be called a person who is unfilial to my parents and my country?”

Grandpa Keling held onto his chin which was overgrown with a bit of a whitened beard. He smiled, then laughed softly. His face showed incredible warmth to Jayaseta.

Without waiting for his grandfather's answer, Jayaseta again continued to express his heart, “I know father defended his people because he himself was a soldier. He grew up in Giri. Even my ancestors who followed Cheng Ho's travel duties had also been in Giri for a long time. It is only natural that you should act as if Karna were to Astina or Kumbakarna to Alengka.

“Dad died defending his country. I also killed the Mataram troops for defending my father. But if I take revenge for my father's death, wouldn't that tarnish my sense of justice?

“War is over, it's clear who won the war. Another case if the Mataram forces, or anyone else committed arbitrary actions and I was on the trajectory of that fate. Of course I won't shut up. Am I wrong grandpa?”

Jayaseta asked the grandfather but his eyes glared far away. I don't know what he's thinking and it's raging in his chest. All of these experiences should have a great influence in his future life as a young warrior and a master of his name in the land of Java.