About Unshu Soroban
Unshu Soroban are wooden abacuses produced in Okuizumo Town, Nita District, Shimane Prefecture. Around the mid-Edo period, production began as a side business for farmers, developing into a production area utilizing the characteristics of the mountain region's abundant quality wood and bamboo. Currently the largest abacus production area in Japan, accounting for approximately 70% of domestic production, with the precise handcrafting method of finishing all wooden frames, beams, and beads by hand still being maintained. Even in modern times with widespread ICT education, there is continued strong demand as a tool for mental arithmetic and mathematics education, with high regard as a traditional craft.
Techniques & Materials
Craft terms are shown in the original Japanese — these are proper names with no standard English equivalents.
Techniques
Materials
Where to see & buy
Workshop names are in Japanese; links go to their official sites.
- 雲州そろばん伝統産業会館 hands-on experience