Irrigation Bucket

Yongdure is an irrigation bucket used for transporting water from one place to another, or drawing up water from a lower place to a higher location. The body was carved from a log in the shape of a slim boat. At both ends of the center of the body, two small holes were made, into which a thin wood stick was inserted, with two strands of a rope tied to either end of the stick. The two strands of rope were fastened to the top of a tripod made of three long wooden rods so that the bucket could be suspended from the tripod. It was used to draw up water by holding the handle attached to the end of the body and swinging it back and forth. In regions where logs were not easily available, short pieces of wood were used to make a rectangular container, with a shaft attached to the bottom. Several wooden crossbars were affixed to the upper part of the body in order to prevent the water from spilling. Water out of reach using the bucket was drawn up by matdure.