Research on Abacus: Unlocking Brain Potential

The abacus, an ancient calculating tool dating back almost 3000 years, has long fascinated educators and scientists alike. Its ability to simplify complex numerical tasks and the remarkable speed and accuracy demonstrated by its users have made it a subject of extensive research, particularly in the 20th century. This research, focusing on abacus learning and its impact, has provided compelling evidence of its positive effects on cognitive development, especially in stimulating the right brain.

The Brain and Abacus: A Scientific Perspective

Initially, the idea that abacus training, especially the mental abacus calculation method, could positively influence right brain development was largely a hypothesis. However, advancements in high-tech machinery and cerebral physiology have provided tangible research and supporting data, transforming this hypothesis into a proven fact. Key researchers who have significantly contributed to our understanding of the effects of abacus training on the human brain include Dr. Toshio Hayashi, Professor Shizuko Amaiwa, and Ms. Kimiko Kawano.

Development of the Human Brain

According to Dr. Toshio Hayashi, Doctor of Engineering and Director of the Research Institute for Advanced Science and Technology (RIAST) at Osaka Prefecture University, the cerebral neocortex is not fully functional at birth. Its development is significantly influenced by appropriate stimuli that foster the growth of nerve cells within it. The neocortex comprises 14 billion sets of motor and sensory nerves. Activating these nerve cells through "stimuli," such as moving fingers and talking aloud, can lead to significant activation in the sensory to motor domains of the cerebral neocortex.

This highlights the utility of starting abacus learning as early as possible, as the fun and engaging act of moving abacus beads can effectively activate young children's brains.

Development of the Right Brain through Mental Calculation

Left Brain vs. Right Brain

The human brain is divided into the right and left hemispheres:

The left brain, often referred to as the "digital brain," manages functions like reading, writing, calculation, and logical thinking.
In contrast, the right brain is associated with three-dimensional sense, creativity, and artistic expression.
Research suggests that training the right brain can also reduce the likelihood of developing dementia.

Mental Math and the Right Brain

The abacus method of mental calculation involves learners mentally manipulating abacus beads to perform calculations.
This process, now widely known as Mental Math, was speculated to be effective in training the right brain.
Recent studies, leveraging advanced brain imaging techniques that accurately measure blood flow, have definitively proven that the abacus method of mental calculation is exceptionally effective in activating the right brain.

The ultimate goal of abacus learning is to achieve mastery of this mental calculation, which has been shown to have significant benefits for brain development.

The Improvement of Numerical Memory

Ms. Shizuko Amaiwa, Professor at Shinshu University, Faculty of Education, highlights the superior numerical memory of abacus students. Compared to non-abacus learners of the same age, abacus students exhibit higher accuracy and can memorize a greater number of digits.

This is attributed to their ability to visualize numbers on an abacus image in their minds while performing mental calculations, leading to robust retention of numbers.

Rapid, Accurate Calculation and Problem-Solving

One of the primary advantages of abacus training is the development of the ability to calculate simple mathematical problems rapidly and accurately. Furthermore, learners acquire the skill of mental calculation using the abacus image, enabling quick calculations without the physical abacus.

Benefits of Abacus Training

These abilities have positive ripple effects on solving a wide range of mathematical problems.
Abacus learners develop flexible calculation methods, enabling innovative solutions to problems.

Challenges in Abacus Learning

Non-abacus learners often develop fixed calculation methods, which can limit their flexibility in devising innovative solutions.
Professor Amaiwa also points out the challenge of potential boredom due to the repetitive nature of simple procedures in abacus learning, emphasizing the need for measures to keep learners engaged.

Verbal Thinking and Image Processing (Visualization)

Ms. Kimiko Kawano, a researcher at Nippon Medical School, Center for Informatics and Sciences, explains that ordinary individuals typically calculate mentally using an "inner voice" (verbal thinking). However, the ability to visualize, cultivated through abacus training, can be applied to other subjects and behaviors.

For beginners, abacus learning facilitates an easy grasp of images in addition and subtraction problems due to the visible movement of beads, and it also aids in understanding the decimal system.

The visualization skills developed through abacus training extend beyond mathematics, enhancing overall cognitive abilities and problem-solving skills.