Jepara

Jepara is located in the north eastern coast of Central Java. Is in the reign of Queen Kalinyamat (1549-1579), Jepara forward rapidly and became the main commercial airport in Java, besides being a strong Naval Station. In 1551 and 1574, because of resentment at the occupation, Queen Kalinyamat sends fleet to Malacca for attacking Portuguese.

Kalinyamat Queen also made a large contribution to believe in the civilize Jepara carving, which isblend of sculpture carving Patih Majapahit with Sungging Badarduwung derived from Campa ( Cambodia ). Kalinyamat Queen died in 1579 and was buried in the village Mantingan, Jepara, on the tomb of her husband who was killed by Prince Attends Aryo Penangsang during seizure throne after the death of the Sultan of Demak Sultanate Trenggono.

Raden Ajeng Kartini born in Jepara, Central Java, 21 April 1879 - died in Rembang, Central Java, 17 September 1904 at age 25 years) or actually more accurately called Raden Ayu Kartini, was a prominent Javanese and National Heroes Indonesia. Kartini is known as a pioneer in the area of indigenous women.

Raden Ajeng Kartini was born in 1879 in the town of Apex. He is son of a nobleman who was very obedient to the customs. After graduating from elementary school he was not allowed to continue their education to higher levels by the parents. He secluded while waiting to be wed. Small Kartini was very sad with this, he wanted to resist but did not dare for fear of being children of disobedience. To get rid of her sadness, she gathered her textbooks and other science books and reading in the garden of the house accompanied by Simbok.

Finally read a fetish, there is no day without reading. All books, including newspaper reading. If there is difficulty in understanding books and newspapers he read, he always asked the father. Through this book, Kartini's interest in women's thinking of Europe (the Netherlands, who was still colonized Indonesia). The desire to promote Indonesian women. Women not only the kitchen but also must have the knowledge. He began by collecting her girlfriends to teach science writing and other writing. Amid the busy life he did not stop reading and also writing letters to his friends in Holland. Before long, he wrote a letter to Mr.JH Abendanon. He pleaded awarded a scholarship to study in The Netherlands.

Obtainment of scholarships could not be used because he was married By Kartini's parents with Raden Duke Joyodiningrat. After marriage she joined her husband to the Apex area. Her husband understood kartini's supporting women to establish a school. Thanks to the persistence of Kartini succeeded in establishing Women's School in Semarang, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Malang, Madiun, Cirebon and other areas. The school name is kartini's schools." Fame does not make Kartini became arrogant, he remained polite, respectful family and anyone else, does not distinguish between poor and rich.

On 17 september 1904, Kartini's died in the age of 25, after she gave birth to their first son. After Kartini died, Mr.JH Abendanon collect and the letters that Kartini had sent to its friends in Europe. The book was entitled "DOOR TOT DUISTERNIS Licht" meaning "Gone Dark Light publication."

Currently in Indonesia, hopefully will be born Again Kartini's who would fight for the interests of the people.

RA Kartini museum is located on the town center, northward the town’s field. The museum is a general museum and functioned as historical tourist object managed by the Tourism office of Jepara Regency. The museum is daily opened from 08.00 am to 02.00 pm. It was built on March 30th 1975 at Soewarno Djojomardowo, SH era and officially opened at Soedikto, SH era on April 21st 1977. The purpose of the museum establishment is to commemorate RA Kartini’s struggle. By documenting Kartini’s struggle and showing to the public, hope that public will always remember Kartini’s efforts in sustaining gender equity. In this museum you can also notice several historical stuffs founded in Jepara regency. Total area is 5.210 square meters but only 890 sguare meters used for the museum building. The museum consist of three main building figured like K,T,N, form (abreviaton of KARTINI). The buildings are devided into 4 collection rooms as follows.

This room contains of RA Kartini’s heritage, including her portraits when she was alive.
- A set of real wooden living chairs and table carved with ancient motive.
- With picture of her face when she was getting to be married with the residence of Rembang, on November 12th, 1903.
- Portrait of her handwritten letter which she sent to her penpall in Netherland.
- Her only son’s portrait, Raden Mas Singgih.
- Her father’s portrait, RMAA Sosroningrat.
- Her mother’s Portrait, MA Ngasirah.
- Learning desk.
- Souvenir made by her students.
- Special device used to paint clothe.
- Kartini’s genealogy.
- Portraits of backyard of Jepara City Hall.
- Botekan (medicine box used to keep herbs).
- Original sew machine belongs to her students