Straw Mat Placed Under the Miller

Maetbangseok, also called deokseogi, deokseok, or teoseogi, is a millstone mat used to contain powder coming out of a millstone after grinding grains. It is usually used when grinding beans and grains, and the textile is woven twice and densely so that powdered grain will not leak through the gaps or fall out. The rim is made high to prevent grain from falling out, but some mats are produced with a flat rim. The mats are woven with straw into a rectangular or round shape. Round mats are also called doraebangseok. Maetbangseok is also used to dry vegetables like white radishes, eggplants, pumpkins, herbs, peppers, and grains such as sesames.