Are you KuKu?

Thanks to my online Japanese teacher, I discovered that in a parallel to our Schoolhouse Rock series of animated shorts, Japanese children learn their multiplication tables thanks to a series of chants called 九九 (KuKu).


This has been scammed from the ever awesome Namiko Abe of About.com fame. 'Kuku is a Japanese method for memorizing multiplication tables by using a rhythmic chant. Japanese students are supposed to learn "Kuku" by heart in the second grade. For example, "two times three equals six" is said as, "Ni-san-ga-roku," which refers to "two-three-six". Just as the name implies, "Kuku" goes all the way to "ku-ku-hachijuuichi (9 x 9 = 81)". The short phrases and rhythm of the kuku make it easier to memorize. Most Japanese memorize and use them for the rest of their lives.'
 ｢九九」という言葉を聞いたことがありますか。｢九九｣とは、リズムのある歌に合わせて、日本人がかけ算を覚える方法です。日本の子供たちは、二年生で｢九九｣を暗記することになっています。たとえば、２ｘ３＝６は、「にさんがろく｣といいます。｢九九｣の２の段、３の段を聞いてみてください。｢九九｣はその名のとおり、９X９＝８１まで続きます。｢九九｣の短い言葉と、リズムが暗記する助けとなっているのでしょう。日本人のほとんどが｢九九｣を覚えていて、生涯それを使っているといえます。｣
You can buy your own KuKu chart, but if you go here, you can print your own. Or you can just scam a copy of this one from this here ol' blog.

Here are some examples of  九九 showcasing the 6, 7, 8 & 9 times tables:


Now you don't have any excuse for not being able to calculate sales tax! I mean you don't want this kid showing you up, do you?