🟨 Product Description🟨
This is an antique Japanese soroban (abacus) originally associated with a Kyoto merchant.
The back side of the wooden frame features commemorative hand-carved characters.
Please note that this item does not come in a wooden box—the video shows the exact condition of the soroban, including the engraved text.
The warm patina of the wood and the old-style kanji suggest production in the Meiji–Taisho era (early 20th century).
Modern sorobans typically feature four lower beads, a configuration that became widespread around the early Shōwa period.
The engraved text on this piece uses old Japanese numerals and kanji forms commonly seen in the late Meiji era but discontinued after script reforms, which further supports the likelihood that this soroban predates the universal adoption of the four-bead style.
The carved inscription reads:
“創業二十五年紀念 京都 北村久五郎商店”
indicating that it was made as a 25th founding anniversary commemorative item for the Kyoto merchant Kitamura Hisagorō Shop.
Merchant commemorative abacuses of this type are culturally significant items that reflect early 20th-century Japanese commercial history.
📏 Size & Details
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Length: 33 cm (13.0 inches)
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Width: 10.5 cm (4.1 inches)
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Thickness: 4 cm (1.6 inches)
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No wooden box included
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All beads move freely
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Traditional Japanese numeral system is used on the bead divider
🔍 Condition
As an antique item, it shows signs of age such as small scratches and patina.
However, the structure is solid, and the beads move smoothly.
Please check the photos and the video for a full understanding of the condition.
Service & Care
I strive to provide clear, honest descriptions and careful packaging for every order. Your item will be shipped with the same attention I would give to a gift.
✿ J.Made ✿
Sharing the soul of Japan, one piece at a time 🇯🇵