Craft · No. 192
No. 192文具
Banshu Soroban (Banshu Abacus)
播州そろばん
banshu soroban · 兵庫県
Banshu Soroban is a traditional wooden abacus crafted primarily in Ono City, Hyogo Prefecture. Renowned for its exceptional precision and fine finish, the region accounts for the overwhelming majority of abacus production in Japan.
- Origin
- 兵庫県
- Category
- 文具
- Materials
- Wood · Bamboo
- Designation
- Nat'l Traditional Craft
No. IHistory
The origins of Banshu Soroban trace back to the Edo period, when farmers in the Banshu region — centered on what is now Ono City, Hyogo Prefecture — b…
No. IIMaterials
No. IIITechniques
Banshu Soroban production relies on a sophisticated division of labor in which specialist artisans handle each stage: bead making, frame construction,…
No. IVClimate
The Banshu region around Ono City has a relatively mild inland climate with limited winter snowfall, making it well suited for indoor craft work durin…
