A calculating device used as an aid for doing additions and subtractions, "operated" by moving beads along thin rods.
The abacus may be somewhat primitive-looking for a calculator; however, with training, the use of the abacus can help dramatically increase the speed of one's calculations. Hoping to improve their calculation skills, many children in the '70s attended after-school classes to learn how to use the abacus, or soroban. The standard elementary school curriculum also included abacus practice.
A comedian named Tony Tani became the talk of the town in those days by using the abacus as a musical instrument. It goes to show how central the device was to everyday life in Japan.
This device may be one reason why the Japanese excel in mathematical skills and were able to build their nation into a major economic power. For all the criticism of Japan as an "economic animal," it may be this tool that helped cultivate the pronounced calculating prowess that has practically become a national trait.

back to Browser homepage <TABLE><TR><TD> <FONT SIZE=-2> <A HREF="../../index01.html" TARGET="_top">HOME</A> </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <BR CLEAR=all>

Copyright(C)1996 MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO.,LTD.