16 Aug 08 Amazing Abacus Math!

In Japanese, the abacus is called Soroban (“Counting tray”) in Japan, imported from China around 1600.[18] The 1/4 abacus appeared circa 1930, and it is preferred and still manufactured in Japan today even with the proliferation, practicality, and affordability of pocket electronic calculators. The use of the Soroban is still taught in Japanese primary schools as a part of math.