Misplaced Pages

#827172

55-430: The soroban is composed of an odd number of columns or rods, each having beads: one separate bead having a value of five, called go-dama ( 五玉, ごだま , "five-bead") and four beads each having a value of one, called ichi-dama ( 一玉, いちだま , "one-bead") . Each set of beads of each rod is divided by a bar known as a reckoning bar. The number and size of beads in each rod make a standard-sized 13-rod soroban much less bulky than

110-489: A bi-quinary coded decimal system, where each of the rods can represent a single digit from 0 to 9. By moving beads towards the reckoning bar, they are put in the "on" position; i.e., they assume value. For the "five bead" this means it is moved downwards, while "one beads" are moved upwards. In this manner, all digits from 0 to 9 can be represented by different configurations of beads, as shown below: These digits can subsequently be used to represent multiple-digit numbers. This

165-451: A certificate and license. There are six levels of mastery, starting from sixth-grade (very skilled) all the way up to first-grade (for those who have completely mastered the use of the soroban). Those obtaining at least a third-grade certificate/license are qualified to work in public corporations. The soroban is still taught in some primary schools as a way to visualize and grapple with mathematical concepts. The practice of soroban includes

220-426: A choice of weapon, even against bladed objects. Rattan shields were historically used in ancient, medieval and early modern China and Korea. According to some contemporary sources, they were reasonably effective against both arrows and early firearms. It sees also prominent use in battle re-enactments as stand-ins to potentially lethal weapons. Rattan can also be used to build a functional sword that delivers

275-427: A furnace. Calcium and carbon are added. The wood is then further heated under intense pressure in another oven-like machine, and a phosphate solution is introduced. This process produces almost an exact replica of bone material. The process takes about 10 days. At the time of the announcement the bone was being tested in sheep, and there had been no signs of rejection. Particles from the sheep's bodies have migrated to

330-442: A great deal of basic introductory information is available. Available rattan floras and monographs by region (2002 ): Uses by taxon . The major commercial species of rattan canes as identified for Asia by Dransfield and Manokaran (1993) and for Africa, by Tuley (1995) and Sunderland (1999) ( Desmoncus not treated here): Utilized Calamus species canes: Other traditional uses of rattans by species: The name "rattan"

385-463: A larger number of rods allows the representation of more digits, either in singular form or during operations. The beads and rods are made of a variety of different materials. Most soroban made in Japan are made of wood and have wood, metal, rattan , or bamboo rods for the beads to slide on. The beads themselves are usually biconal (shaped like a double-cone). They are normally made of wood, although

440-541: A leather backcover so the beads do not slide around when in use. The soroban's physical resemblance is derived from the suanpan but the number of beads is identical to the Roman abacus , which had four beads below and one at the top. Most historians on the soroban agree that it has its roots on the suanpan's importation to Japan via the Korean peninsula around the 14th century. When the suanpan first became native to Japan as

495-594: A non-lethal but similar impact compared to steel counterparts. Mental abacus The abacus system of mental calculation is a system where users mentally visualize an abacus to carry out arithmetical calculations . No physical abacus is used; only the answers are written down. Calculations can be made at great speed in this way. For example, in the Flash Anzan event at the All Japan Soroban Championship , champion Takeo Sasano

550-484: A profitable crop that complements rather than competes with trees. However, the long-term profitability and utility of rattan compared to other alternatives remain subjects of ongoing evaluation and study. Cleaned rattan stems with the leaf sheaths removed are superficially similar to bamboo . Unlike bamboo, rattan stems are not hollow. Most (70%) of the world's rattan population exists in Indonesia , distributed among

605-422: A single stem. Clustering rattan, on the other hand, develop clumps of up to 50 stems via suckers , similar to bamboo and bananas . These clusters can produce new stems continually as individual stems die. The impact of harvesting is much greater in solitary species, since the whole plant dies when harvested. An example of a commercially important single-stemmed species is Calamus manan . Clustering species, on

SECTION 10

#1732802041828

660-487: A soroban, especially Chinese methods that came with the importation of the suanpan. The authority in Japan on the soroban, the Japan Abacus Committee , has recommended so-called standard methods for both multiplication and division which require only the use of the multiplication table . These methods were chosen for efficiency and speed in calculation. Because the soroban developed through a reduction in

715-407: A standard-sized suanpan of similar expressive power. The number of rods in a soroban is always odd and never fewer than seven. Basic models usually have thirteen rods, but the number of rods on practical or standard models often increases to 21, 23, 27 or even 31, thus allowing calculation of more digits or representations of several different numbers at the same time. Each rod represents a digit, and

770-430: A step backward....". The breakdown of results is as follows: Even with the improvement of technology involving calculators, this event has yet to be replicated officially. Rattan Rattan , also spelled ratan (from Malay : rotan ), is the name for roughly 600 species of Old World climbing palms belonging to subfamily Calamoideae . The greatest diversity of rattan palm species and genera are in

825-529: A strand of rattan, the skin is usually peeled off, to be used as rattan weaving material. The remaining "core" of the rattan can be used for various purposes in furniture making. Rattan is a very good material, mainly because it is lightweight, durable, and, to a certain extent, flexible and suitable for outdoor use. Traditionally, the women of the Wemale ethnic group of Seram Island , Indonesia wore rattan girdles around their waist. Thin rattan canes were

880-414: A vine-like habit, scrambling through and over other vegetation. However, they are different from true woody lianas in several ways. Because rattans are palms, they do not branch and they rarely develop new root structures upon contact of the stem with soil. They are monocots , and thus, do not exhibit secondary growth . This means the diameter of the rattan stem is always constant: juvenile rattan palms have

935-585: A wood with a light peach hue. In the Indian state of Assam , the shoot is also used as vegetable. The stem tips are rich in starch , and can be eaten raw or roasted. Long stems can be cut to obtain potable water. The palm heart can also be eaten raw or cooked. In early 2010, scientists in Italy announced that rattan wood would be used in a new "wood to bone" process for the production of artificial bone . The process takes small pieces of rattan and places them in

990-587: A young industry and only constitutes a minority of the rattan resources harvested annually. In forests where rattan grows, its economic value can play a crucial role in conservation efforts. By offering an alternative source of income, rattan harvesting can deter loggers from engaging in timber logging. Harvesting rattan canes is simpler and requires less sophisticated tools compared to logging operations. Furthermore, rattan grows rapidly, which facilitates quicker replenishment compared to tropical wood species.This economic incentive supports forest maintenance by providing

1045-437: Is available in many colours, and it can be worked into many styles. Moreover, the inner core can be separated and worked into wicker . A typical braiding pattern is called Wiener Geflecht , Viennese Braiding, as it was invented in 18th century Vienna and later most prominently used by Thonet for their No. 14 chair . Generally, raw rattan is processed into several products to be used as materials in furniture making. From

1100-465: Is done in the same way as in Western, decimal notation: the rightmost digit represents units, the one to the left of it represents tens, etc. The number 8036 , for instance, is represented by the following configuration: The soroban user is free to choose which rod is used for the units; typically this will be one of the rods marked with a dot (see the 6 in the example above). Any digits to the right of

1155-855: Is first attested in English in the 1650s. It is derived from the Malay name rotan . Probably ultimately from rautan (from raut , "to trim" or "to pare"). Many rattan species also form mutualistic relationships with ant species. They provide ant shelters ( myrmecodomatia ) like hollow spines, funnel-shaped leaves, or leaf sheath extensions ( ochreae ). The rattans in turn, gain protection from herbivores. Rattans are threatened with overexploitation , as harvesters are cutting stems too young and reducing their ability to resprout. Unsustainable harvesting of rattan can lead to forest degradation , affecting overall forest ecosystem services . Processing can also be polluting. The use of toxic chemicals and petrol in

SECTION 20

#1732802041828

1210-453: Is heavily used as a housing material in rural areas. The skin of the plant or wood is primarily used for weaving . Rattan cane is also used traditionally to make polo mallets , though only a small portion of cane harvested (roughly 3%) is strong, flexible, and durable enough to be made into sticks for polo mallets, and popularity of rattan mallets is waning next the more modern variant, fibrecanes. Fire-hardened rattan were commonly used as

1265-831: Is not restricted to Calamoideae, but has also evolved in three other evolutionary lines—tribes Cocoseae ( Desmoncus with c. 7–10 species in the New World tropics) and Areceae ( Dypsis scandens in Madagascar) in subfamily Arecoideae, and tribe Hyophorbeae (climbing species of the large genus Chamaedorea in Central America) in subfamily Ceroxyloideae. They do not have spinose stems and climb by means of their reflexed terminal leaflets. Of these only Desmoncus spp. furnish stems of sufficiently good quality to be used as rattan cane substitutes. There are 13 different genera of rattans that include around 600 species. Some of

1320-430: Is the preferred natural material used to wick essential oils in aroma reed diffusers (commonly used in aromatherapy , or merely to scent closets, passageways, and rooms), because each rattan reed contains 20 or more permeable channels that wick the oil from the container up the stem and release fragrance into the air, through an evaporation diffusion process. In contrast, reeds made from bamboo contain nodes that inhibit

1375-463: The "wood bone" and formed long, continuous bones. The new bone-from-wood programme is being funded by the European Union . By 2023, experimental implants into humans were taking place. Rattans are extensively used for making baskets and furniture . When cut into sections, rattan can be used as wood to make furniture. Rattan accepts paints and stains like many other kinds of wood, so it

1430-614: The Japan Abacus Committee, is in fact an old method which used counting rods , first suggested by mathematician Momokawa Chubei in 1645, and therefore had to compete with the division table during the latter's heyday. On November 12, 1946, a contest was held in Tokyo between the Japanese soroban, used by Kiyoshi Matsuzaki , and an electric calculator, operated by US Army Private Thomas Nathan Wood. The basis for scoring in

1485-426: The Japanese education system. Now, the strive is for speed and turning out deliverables rather than understanding the subtle intricacies of the concepts behind the product. Calculators have since replaced sorobans, and elementary schools are no longer required to teach students how to use the soroban, though some do so by choice. The growing popularity of calculators within the context of Japanese modernization has driven

1540-425: The abacus any more, but perform calculations by visualizing the abacus. This was verified when the right brain of visualisers showed heightened EEG activity when calculating, compared with others using an actual abacus to perform calculations. The abacus can be used routinely to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; it can also be used to extract square and cube roots. This article about

1595-538: The ability to climb wide-diameter trees, unlike other vines which use tendrils or twining which can only climb narrower supports. Rattans have been known to grow up to hundreds of metres long. A few species of rattans are non-climbing. These range from free-standing tree-like species (like Calamus dumetosa ) to acaulescent shrub -like species with short subterranean stems (like Calamus pygmaeus ). Rattans can also be solitary (single-stemmed), clustering (clump-forming), or both. Solitary rattan species grow into

1650-416: The beads of some soroban, especially those made outside Japan, can be marble , stone, or even plastic. The cost of a soroban is commensurate with the materials used in its construction. One unique feature that sets the soroban apart from its Chinese cousin is a dot marking every third rod in a soroban. These are unit rods and any one of them is designated to denote the last digit of the whole number part of

1705-505: The beads theoretically in one's mind. The mastery of anzan is one reason why, despite the access to handheld calculators, some parents still send their children to private tutors to learn the soroban. The soroban is also the basis for two kinds of abaci developed for the use of blind people. One is the toggle-type abacus wherein flip switches are used instead of beads. The second is the Cranmer abacus which has circular beads, longer rods, and

Soroban - Misplaced Pages Continue

1760-415: The calculation answer. Any number that is represented on rods to the right of this designated rod is part of the decimal part of the answer, unless the number is part of a division or multiplication calculation. Unit rods to the left of the designated one also aid in place value by denoting the groups in the number (such as thousands, millions, etc.). Suanpan usually do not have this feature. The soroban uses

1815-620: The closed- canopy old-growth tropical forests of Southeast Asia , though they can also be found in other parts of tropical Asia and Africa . Most rattan palms are ecologically considered lianas due to their climbing habits, unlike other palm species. A few species also have tree-like or shrub-like habits. Around 20% of rattan palm species are economically important and are traditionally used in Southeast Asia in producing wickerwork furniture, baskets, canes , woven mats, cordage , and other handicrafts . Rattan canes are one of

1870-547: The contest was speed and accuracy of results in all four basic arithmetic operations and a problem which combines all four. The soroban won 4 to 1, with the electric calculator prevailing in multiplication. About the event, the Nippon Times newspaper reported that "Civilization ... tottered" that day, while the Stars and Stripes newspaper described the soroban's "decisive" victory as an event in which "the machine age took

1925-522: The islands Borneo , Sulawesi , and Sumbawa . The rest of the world's supply comes from the Philippines , Sri Lanka , Malaysia , Bangladesh and Assam, India . Some rattan fruits are edible, with a sour taste akin to citrus. The fruit of some rattans exudes a red resin called dragon's blood ; this resin was thought to have medicinal properties in antiquity and was used as a dye for violins , among other things. The resin normally results in

1980-401: The modern configuration and the one having the older configuration of one heavenly bead and five earth beads. Shortly after the beginning of one's soroban studies, drills to enhance mental calculation , known as anzan ( 暗算 , "blind calculation") in Japanese, are incorporated. Students are asked to solve problems mentally by visualizing the soroban and working out the solution by moving

2035-457: The modern configuration of one heavenly bead and four earth beads. This configuration was later reintroduced in 1930 and became popular in the 1940s. Also, when the suanpan was imported to Japan, it came along with its division table. The method of using the table was called kyūkihō ( 九帰法 , "nine returning method") in Japanese, while the table itself was called the hassan ( 八算 , "eight calculation") . The division table used along with

2090-571: The number of beads from seven, to six, and then to the present five, these methods can be used on the suanpan as well as on soroban produced before the 1930s, which have five "one" beads and one "five" bead. The Japanese abacus has been taught in school for over 500 years, deeply rooted in the value of learning the fundamentals as a form of art. However, the introduction of the West during the Meiji period and then again after World War II has gradually altered

2145-907: The other hand, have more potential to become sustainable if the rate of harvesting does not exceed the rate of stem replacement via vegetative reproduction . Rattans display two types of flowering: hapaxanthy and pleonanthy . All the species of the genera Korthalsia , Laccosperma , Plectocomia , Plectocomiopsis , and Myrialepis are hapaxanthic; as well as a few species of Calamus . This means they only flower and fruit once then die. All other rattan species are pleonanthic, being able to flower and fruit continually. Most commercially harvested species are pleonanthic, because hapaxanthic rattans tend to have soft piths making them unsuitable for bending. Calamoideae includes tree palms such as Raffia (raphia) and Metroxylon (sago palm) and shrub palms such as Salacca (salak) (Uhl & Dransfield 1987 Genera Palmarum ). The climbing habit in palms

2200-598: The passage of essential oils. Many of the properties of rattan that make it suitable for furniture also make it a popular choice for handicraft and art pieces. Uses include rattan baskets, plant containers, and other decorative works. Due to its durability and resistance to splintering, sections of rattan can be used as canes , crooks for high-end umbrellas , or staves for martial arts . Rattan sticks 70 cm (28 inches) long, called baston , are used in Filipino martial arts , especially Arnis/Eskrima/Kali and for

2255-560: The processing of rattan affects soil, air and water resources, and also ultimately people's health. Meanwhile, the conventional method of rattan production is threatening the plant's long-term supply, and the income of workers. Rattans also exhibit rapid population growths in disturbed forest edges due to higher light availability than in the closed- canopy old-growth tropical forests . Although this can mean increased rattan abundance for economic exploitation, it can also be problematic in long-term conservation efforts. Rattan harvesting from

Soroban - Misplaced Pages Continue

2310-441: The same width as when adult, usually around 2–5 centimetres ( 3 ⁄ 4 –2 inches) in diameter, with long internodes between the leaves . This also means juvenile rattan palms are rigid enough to remain free-standing, unlike true lianas which always need structural support, even when young. Many rattans also have spines which act as hooks to aid climbing over other plants, and to deter herbivores . The spines also give rattans

2365-576: The shafts of Philippine spears collectively known as sibat . They were fitted with a variety of iron spearheads and ranged from short throwing versions to heavy thrusting weapons. They were used for hunting, fishing, or warfare (both land and naval warfare). The rattan shafts of war spears are usually elaborately ornamented with carvings and metal inlays. Arnis also makes prominent use of rattan as "arnis sticks", commonly called yantok or baston . Their durability and weight makes it ideal for training with complex execution of techniques as well as being

2420-404: The soroban (with its beads modified for ease of use), it had two heavenly beads and five earth beads. But the soroban was not widely used until the 17th century, although it was in use by Japanese merchants since its introduction. Once the soroban became popularly known, several Japanese mathematicians, including Seki Kōwa , studied it extensively. These studies became evident on the improvements on

2475-528: The soroban itself and the operations used on it. In the construction of the soroban itself, the number of beads had begun to decrease. In around 1850, one heavenly bead was removed from the suanpan configuration of two heavenly beads and five earth beads. This new Japanese configuration existed concurrently with the suanpan until the start of the Meiji era , after which the suanpan fell completely out of use. In 1891, Irie Garyū further removed one earth bead, forming

2530-967: The species in these "rattan genera" have a different habit and do not climb, they are shrubby palms of the forest undergrowth; nevertheless they are close relatives to species that are climbers and they are hence included in the same genera. The largest rattan genus is Calamus , distributed in Asia except for one species represented in Africa. From the remaining rattan genera, Korthalsia , Plectocomia , Plectocomiopsis , and Myrialepis are centered in Southeast Asia with outliers eastwards and northwards; and three are endemic to Africa: Laccosperma (syn. Ancistrophyllum ), Eremospatha and Oncocalamus . The rattan genera and their distribution (Uhl & Dransfield 1987 Genera Palmarum , Dransfield 1992): In Uhl & Dransfield (1987 Genera Palmarum , 2ºed. 2008), and also Dransfield & Manokaran (1993 ),

2585-733: The standard implement for school corporal punishment in England and Wales, and are still used for this purpose in schools in Malaysia, Singapore, and several African countries. The usual maximum number of strokes was six, traditionally referred to as getting "Six of the best". Similar canes are used for military punishments in the Singapore Armed Forces . Heavier canes, also of rattan, are used for judicial corporal punishments in Aceh , Brunei , Malaysia , and Singapore . Rattan

2640-487: The striking weapons in the Society for Creative Anachronism 's full-contact " armoured combat ". Along with birch and bamboo, rattan is a common material used for the handles in percussion mallets, especially mallets for keyboard percussion , e.g. , marimba , vibraphone , xylophone , etc. Most natives or locals from the rattan rich countries employ the aid of this sturdy plant in their home building projects. It

2695-432: The study of soroban from public schools to private after school classrooms. Where once it was an institutionally required subject in school for children grades 2 to 6, current laws have made keeping this art form and perspective on math practiced amongst the younger generations more lenient. Today, it shifted from a given to a game where one can take The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry's examination in order to obtain

2750-441: The suanpan was more popular because of the original hexadecimal configuration of Japanese currency . But because using the division table was complicated and it should be remembered along with the multiplication table, it soon fell out in 1935 (soon after the soroban's present form was reintroduced in 1930), with a so-called standard method replacing the use of the division table. This standard method of division, recommended today by

2805-472: The teacher reciting a string of numbers (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) in a song-like manner where at the end, the answer is given by the teacher. This helps train the ability to follow the tempo given by the teacher while remaining calm and accurate. In this way, it reflects on a fundamental aspect of Japanese culture of practicing meditative repetition in every aspect of life. Primary school students often bring two soroban to class, one with

SECTION 50

#1732802041828

2860-511: The units represent decimals: tenths, hundredths, etc. In order to change 8036 into 80.36 , for instance, the user places the digits in such a way that the 0 falls on a rod marked with a dot: The methods of addition and subtraction on a soroban are basically the same as the equivalent operations on a suanpan, with basic addition and subtraction making use of a complementary number to add or subtract ten in carrying over. There are many methods to perform both multiplication and division on

2915-526: The wild in most rattan-producing countries requires permits. These include the Philippines , Sri Lanka , India , Malaysia , Laos , Ghana , and Cameroon . In addition, the Philippines also imposes an annual allowable cut in an effort to conserve rattan resources. Rattan cultivation (both monoculture and intercropping ) is also being researched and pioneered in some countries, though it is still

2970-624: The world's most valuable non-timber forest products. Some species of rattan also have edible scaly fruit and heart of palm . Despite increasing attempts in the last 30 years at commercial cultivation, almost all rattan products still come from wild-harvested plants. Rattan supplies are now rapidly threatened due to deforestation and overexploitation . Rattan were also historically known as Manila cane or Malacca cane , based on their trade origins, as well as numerous other trade names for individual species. Most rattan palms are classified ecologically as lianas because most mature rattan palms have

3025-476: Was able to add fifteen three-digit numbers in just 1.7 seconds. This system is being propagated in China, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan. Mental calculation is said to improve mental capability, increases speed of response, memory power, and concentration power. Many veteran and prolific abacus users in China, Japan, South Korea, and others who use the abacus daily, naturally tend to not use

#827172