Parents' Column | Soroban
How to choose a soroban for your child:
rods, bead shape and price
“Which soroban should we buy?” “Is the old one we have at home all right?” Sorobans come in many sizes, with different numbers of rods and different bead shapes. Here is the kind of soroban to choose when an elementary school child starts learning, and the prices of the sorobans sold at Kodomo School classrooms.
When a child starts soroban, one surprisingly puzzling question is “which soroban should we get?” Shops and websites offer sorobans in all sorts of sizes and colors. Here we talk about the kind of soroban to choose for lessons, and what to look at when choosing.
The parts of a soroban
| Name | What it does |
|---|---|
| Beam (hari) | The horizontal bar across the middle. Only beads moved to the beam are counted |
| Heaven bead (godama) | The bead above the beam. Each one is worth 5 |
| Earth bead (ichidama) | The beads below the beam (4 of them). Each one is worth 1 |
| Unit dot (teiiten) | A dot on the beam. A marker for the ones place, placed every 3 rods |
| Rod (keta) | One rod is one place value (ones, tens, …) |
You can also try moving the beads on an on-screen soroban (Play with a soroban).
Choosing the number of rods
| Rods | Best for |
|---|---|
| 23 rods | The most common size for elementary school children learning soroban. Can be used from the very start for many years |
| 27 rods or more | Adult practice, or setting large numbers again and again. A little big and heavy for children |
| Fewer rods | Toys for small children, or for carrying around. For lessons, you may run out of rods |
If in doubt, choose 23 rods and you will almost never have a problem.
Bead shape and other things to check
- Bead shape: The beads of a soroban used for lessons have, seen from the side, the pointed shape particular to the soroban (something like a diamond). It is easy to catch with the fingertip and flick.
- Bead movement: Do the beads move lightly and smoothly? Beads that are stiff or catch make it hard to practice finger technique.
- Size: Does it fit your child’s hand? If it is too big, the fingers can’t reach easily.
- Non-slip backing: Rubber feet on the back keep the soroban from sliding on the desk.
- One-button reset: Some sorobans, called “one-touch,” let you clear all the beads at once. They are convenient, but some classrooms have rules about using them, so ask the teacher before choosing one.
How it differs from toy abacuses
The ones in toy shops with colorful round beads that slide sideways are called “educational abacuses” (such as the 100-bead abacus). They work differently from the soroban used for lessons.
| Educational abacus | Soroban for lessons | |
|---|---|---|
| Beads | Round and colored | Soroban beads (brown, black, etc.) |
| How they move | Slide sideways | Up and down, toward and away from the beam |
| How numbers are shown | Count the beads one by one | Combinations of heaven beads (5) and earth beads (1) |
| Good for | Counting, learning groups of 10 | Calculating by flicking with the fingers, mental math |
Playing with an educational abacus when small is a nice way to get familiar with numbers. When your child starts learning soroban, get a soroban made for lessons.
Prices, and where to buy
At Kodomo School, you can buy a soroban and materials at the classroom when you enroll.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 23-rod soroban | ¥4,500 |
| Soroban case | ¥800 |
| Soroban drill book | ¥400 |
| Wakusoro textbook (1 and 2) | ¥500 |
For the prices of other materials, see the materials price list. You can also buy from shops or online, but using the same soroban as the classroom makes it easier for the teacher to teach, and gives you peace of mind. If you would like to use a soroban or a hand-me-down you have at home, bring it to the classroom and have the teacher take a look.
Frequently asked questions
Do we need a soroban for the trial lesson?
No. For the free trial lesson, just bring writing supplies; we provide a soroban at the classroom.
Can we use an older sibling’s hand-me-down, or one we have at home?
Usually, yes. Have the teacher check it at the classroom: the number of rods, whether the beads move smoothly, and so on.
Can we buy one online?
Yes. As a guide, choose one with 23 rods and proper soroban beads. If in doubt, the safest option is to buy one at the classroom when you enroll (23-rod soroban ¥4,500).
Do we need a soroban case?
It protects the beads and frame when carrying the soroban, so it is reassuring to have one. At Kodomo School it costs ¥800.
Should we write our child’s name on it?
Many similar sorobans sit side by side in the classroom, so writing the name on the back, for example, avoids mix-ups.
Having your very own soroban is exciting!
About the author
Taito MoritaFounder & principal of Kodomo School (Morita Group Co., Ltd.)
He carries on the Morita Juku founded in Toyohashi in 1972. Through soroban, calligraphy and art at about 90 classrooms in Aichi and Shizuoka and at our Hanoi school in Vietnam, he helps children build the strength to believe in themselves. He also gives talks and seminars on education.
Message from our founderTalks & seminarsUpdated: October 8, 2026
Parents' Column
More about soroban
Find a classroom
Soroban classes in your city
Start with a free trial lesson
Soroban and calligraphy trial lessons are free (about 20 minutes; just bring something to write with). The art trial lesson is 40 minutes and costs ¥1,000 (nothing to bring). Come with your child and see the feel of the classroom and how well the teacher suits your child.