Harrow

Sseore, or harrow, is a farming tool used to even out the ground after plowing the field using an ox. Its frame is made by a hard and thick log such as juniper or elm wood, and stake-like teeth that are 30 to 40 cm long and made of chestnut wood are inserted into the holes in the frame. Then, a Π-shaped handle is inserted on top. The second set of teeth from both ends, which are called jiksal, or direct rib, penetrate the frame to join with the handle. Wooden stacks are inserted into both ends of the frame to tie a rope for pulling it. The teeth are frequently broken while the harrow is being pulled, and the user generally prepared spare teeth to replaced them as necessary. A harrow with one row of teeth is called sseore, and one with multiple rows is called pyeongsang sseore. Those made by joining multiple long-knotted wooden sticks or downward-facing branches is called gongi sseore. Pyeongsang sseore was often used in the fields, and weighed down by a person or a heavy object before being pulled by an ox. When an ox pulled the harrow, muddy water splashed up to the user’s face, and thus the ox’s tail was occasionally tied onto the handle.