Of course I don't :) Evidence? The evidence I have found are from various textbooks on the ancient Sumerian civilization that in approx. 2700 BC, the Sumerians invented the abacus as a tool for calculating. The earliest abacus still in tact is a Sumerian one, called the Salamis tablet. That is the oldest proof of abaci, but I do not doubt there being earlier cases of Sumerian ones, as well as Chinese ones.
I live in Japan and have recently bought a soroban very much like this one. One additional feature which you don't mention but I have seen on other soroban of this period is that there is a piece of wood that slips into the middle between the bottom and to top frame. The edges are cut at an angle so that they mate with a groove in the frame. On my example, this wooden "slat" slips around a little and almost looks like it could be removed. I can't for the life of me imagine what it's there ore what it does. Is it there on your example?
I understand this :) I did not operationally define abacus correctly, my bad. I meant it as a general term, not necessarily as the abacus that the soroban ( I own one) and the modern day Chinese abacus is based on. My mistake.
@smfan2000 If your abacus has 2 heaven beads that means you have a Chinese abacus. Nothing wrong with it, but if you have Japanese instructions you'll just have to ignore one row on the top. It's ok.
Hi there, I was wondering if anyone out there had a good idea on how to clean an older abacus like this. I have recently purchased a vintage soroban and I would like to know the appropriate way to restore it. Thank you in advance!
the oldest one was actually from the Mesopotamians, around southern Iraq, so not really China, more specifically Sumeria back in the day :) They date back to approximately 2700?-2200? BC, not sure of the dates :D But it is oftentimes wrongly attributed to just China itself eh.
There are variety of opinions about the origin of abacus. Arabian, Babylonian, Aztec and Chinese etc. The dispute about the origin is nonsense. What is important is who developed it and could use it in daily life.
What is the point of this strident chauvinism?? You're right, it was not invented by the Japanese. Neither was it invented by the Chiniese. According to Takashi Kojima (who wrote the book on the Soroban), it came to China from Europe, probably Rome through the Silk Trade routes.
Great Lesson! Nice Piece you have there.
Of course I don't :) Evidence? The evidence I have found are from various textbooks on the ancient Sumerian civilization that in approx. 2700 BC, the Sumerians invented the abacus as a tool for calculating. The earliest abacus still in tact is a Sumerian one, called the Salamis tablet. That is the oldest proof of abaci, but I do not doubt there being earlier cases of Sumerian ones, as well as Chinese ones.
Japanese abacus were from China. In Chinese its called Suan Pan. The name share similarities in pronunciation.
I live in Japan and have recently bought a soroban very much like this one. One additional feature which you don't mention but I have seen on other soroban of this period is that there is a piece of wood that slips into the middle between the bottom and to top frame. The edges are cut at an angle so that they mate with a groove in the frame. On my example, this wooden "slat" slips around a little and almost looks like it could be removed. I can't for the life of me imagine what it's there ore what it does. Is it there on your example?
I understand this :) I did not operationally define abacus correctly, my bad. I meant it as a general term, not necessarily as the abacus that the soroban ( I own one) and the modern day Chinese abacus is based on. My mistake.
OMG mine has 4 beads on the bottom and 2 on the top and bamboo runners :)
@smfan2000 If your abacus has 2 heaven beads that means you have a Chinese abacus. Nothing wrong with it, but if you have Japanese instructions you'll just have to ignore one row on the top. It's ok.
Hi there, I was wondering if anyone out there had a good idea on how to clean an older abacus like this. I have recently purchased a vintage soroban and I would like to know the appropriate way to restore it. Thank you in advance!
is their a difference in outputs between the different types of soroban?
@kmj2000 um, I'm sorry that is not me... i don't ever recall watching this video,
i saw one at the good will for a 1.00
the oldest one was actually from the Mesopotamians, around southern Iraq, so not really China, more specifically Sumeria back in the day :) They date back to approximately 2700?-2200? BC, not sure of the dates :D But it is oftentimes wrongly attributed to just China itself eh.
@MrsVegascrush the kind he has is japanese, he is wrong about the japanese switching abacuses they are chinese so yea
@MrsVegascrush the kind he has is japanese mr know it all, the chinese is defferent
There are variety of opinions about the origin of abacus. Arabian, Babylonian, Aztec and Chinese etc. The dispute about the origin is nonsense. What is important is who developed it and could use it in daily life.
i lost track at 1:05
Sumerian abacus.
Suprvd: "Does anybody know where.."
Try, soroban(.)com
This is from China, you 'r so on 9 ....
What is the point of this strident chauvinism?? You're right, it was not invented by the Japanese. Neither was it invented by the Chiniese. According to Takashi Kojima (who wrote the book on the Soroban), it came to China from Europe, probably Rome through the Silk Trade routes.