@Lexical
Yeah, it did strike me as odd when I first saw it 😂
I didn't take the time to actually examine and count it, but the fact that this even came up in discussion is a perfect example of one of the reasons I freaking love this community. Such fantastic nerdery 🤣
It's been a while since I thought about it tbh, but I actually finished up my studying on them by building one (iirc based on a 'common' Chinese model) by hand and learning how to use it myself, and then trying to teach some others a bit about them. It's still floating around in my hoard somewhere, every so often I still come across it.
Anyway, yeah, I imagine you're right, I think a mistake/'laziness' or the like is probably far more likely than them having such a relatively small detail have much meaning or any more complex system behind it. I know some cultures still (or did a few years back anyway) have some.... appreciation for their use, sometimes with some basic lessons, and whatnot, but even then I think most aside from those really interested for various reasons quickly kinda just drop them.
From what I saw/read/was told, it kinda reminded me of how cursive is (or was, again, at least years back) still taught in America in many elementary schools, but then not really used much or for very long. I can only imagine it's even less of a thing in many places now, but before, after having it taught to us, and then using/improving it for one or two years, they all but banned us from using it for school work.
Followed shortly by requiring most, if not all possible, papers being typed, something I would have to guess has only become even more the norm as tech has advanced and been embraced increasingly with time-- something likely speed up even more what with Corona-chan and 'distance learning' being used now.
... 🤔
Well I guess that's enough rambling for this text wall🤣
