Soroban

Japanese Reformed Abacus

from 2000 B.C.

This 21-digit wooden soroban, manufactured in uniform colouring, has a warped frame. The aesthetically pleasing finish without the disturbing back struts stands in contrast to stability. Therefore, this optically more appealing variant did not prevail in the long term, as it was opposed to long-term use. Japanese culture appreciates objects that are extremely durable and have been passed on over many generations. The older an object is and the more important the previous owners were, the more valuable it becomes in the eyes of the owners, comparable to precious musical instruments in Europe.Thus, many repaired objects can also be found in the older preserved Soroban. An artfully repaired and fully functional original is preferable to a new piece in traditional Japan. Such a repair may well attract attention. The darker beads of the seventh digit from the right, i.e. the millions, on this Soroban are possible evidence of such a repair. This is to be assumed, since Soroban were usually constructed strictly symmetrically. The frame workmanship with the side parts set on butt joints indicates that this is a specimen made in the tradition of the Unshu Soroban.