From olden times the Korean people have created and developed many cultural heritage items. Seesawing is one of them.
Seesawing is a folk game in which two persons, standing at opposite ends of a long board resting on a pivot in the middle, compete to jump higher, coming down heavily on the board.
During the period of Koguryo (277 BC-AD 668) the Korean people widely used the tread-mill to hull grains. It is believed that they invented the game by applying the principle of the tread-mill in which one end of the beam thumps down to hull the grains on the strength of the foot of a person pressing the other end.
On the lunar New Year’s Day and the First Full Moon Day women in nice dresses got together to play the game.
Seesawing helps the players have stronger legs, increase the capacity of the lungs and improve their physical shape. There are Korean sayings which go “Play seesawing in January, and no thorn will pierce your sole that year,” and “Play seesawing a lot during your maidenhood, and you will have sons after marriage.” These clearly show that seesawing is a good physical exercise.
Seesawing is a game which can be played almost anywhere and anytime if a board of the right size and a pivot are available. The board was 3.5 metres long and 35 to 40 centimetres wide in general. The pivot was an elastic lump which is about 20 centimetres high.
Typical playing modes included high jumping and long jumping. Experienced players played while pulling various stunts.
If a player fell down off balance or got tired, he or she would be replaced. In some regions, the location of the pivot was moved towards the heavier player when the weight of the players differed.
Seesawing rich in national flavour is still widely encouraged as a traditional sports event and has developed as a national acrobatic work.
Jo Il Gyong
More From Naenara (En)
The Ryongaksan Soap Factory, situated at the foot of beautiful Mt Ryongak in the capital city of Pyongyang, is a factory
July 16, 2025
The Ryongaksan Soap Factory, situated at the foot of beautiful Mt Ryongak in the capital city of Pyongyang, is a factory
Whenever he conceives a plan for building the country into a paradise for the people, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un thinks
July 16, 2025
Whenever he conceives a plan for building the country into a paradise for the people, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un thinks
Sergei Lavrov, foreign minister of the Russian Federation, left on July 13 after visiting the Democratic People’s Republic of
July 15, 2025
Sergei Lavrov, foreign minister of the Russian Federation, left on July 13 after visiting the Democratic People’s Republic of
Taesongsan magnolia is a tree growing in the Central Botanical Garden in the capital city of Pyongyang.It is 2.9 m high and 16 cm
July 15, 2025
Taesongsan magnolia is a tree growing in the Central Botanical Garden in the capital city of Pyongyang.It is 2.9 m high and 16 cm
The Hwasong Ragwon Barbecue Restaurant is located in the centre of a new urban district in the Hwasong area of the capital city of
July 15, 2025
The Hwasong Ragwon Barbecue Restaurant is located in the centre of a new urban district in the Hwasong area of the capital city of
In February the “light-matter resonant interaction and its applications” proposed by the nonlinear optics research team of the
July 15, 2025
In February the “light-matter resonant interaction and its applications” proposed by the nonlinear optics research team of the
The Taedonggang culture of Korea is one of the earliest civilizations of mankind. The culture was created in the Taedong River
July 14, 2025
The Taedonggang culture of Korea is one of the earliest civilizations of mankind. The culture was created in the Taedong River
A press statement on the second strategic dialogue between the foreign ministers of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
July 14, 2025
A press statement on the second strategic dialogue between the foreign ministers of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Poso-ri columnar jointing is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a geopark. The columnar jointing is
July 14, 2025
Poso-ri columnar jointing is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a geopark. The columnar jointing is
The chief of the Policy Office of the Ministry of National Defence of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on July 13
July 14, 2025
The chief of the Policy Office of the Ministry of National Defence of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on July 13
The seas of the DPRK have favourable conditions for offshore farming. For example, the East Sea of Korea is very suitable for the
July 14, 2025
The seas of the DPRK have favourable conditions for offshore farming. For example, the East Sea of Korea is very suitable for the
The DPRK government hosted a reception at Myongsasimni Hotel in the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area on the evening of July 12 in
July 14, 2025
The DPRK government hosted a reception at Myongsasimni Hotel in the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area on the evening of July 12 in
Kwimyon Rock stands near Samson Rock and Tokson Rock in the Manmulsang section in Outer Kumgang, part of Mt Kumgang, a celebrated
July 13, 2025
Kwimyon Rock stands near Samson Rock and Tokson Rock in the Manmulsang section in Outer Kumgang, part of Mt Kumgang, a celebrated
Scientists at University of Sciences have developed an ingenious technique for producing essential oils. The technique, as it is
July 13, 2025
Scientists at University of Sciences have developed an ingenious technique for producing essential oils. The technique, as it is
The Sungjin Biotechnology Development Company of the Three-Revolution Exhibition House has developed an oil frog farming
July 13, 2025
The Sungjin Biotechnology Development Company of the Three-Revolution Exhibition House has developed an oil frog farming
Sergei Lavrov, foreign minister of the Russian Federation, arrived at Wonsan Kalma Airport on the night of July 11 to visit the
July 13, 2025
Sergei Lavrov, foreign minister of the Russian Federation, arrived at Wonsan Kalma Airport on the night of July 11 to visit the
New houses have been built for the working people of the Sangwon Farm in Unsan County, North Phyongan Province of the DPRK. Modern
July 13, 2025
New houses have been built for the working people of the Sangwon Farm in Unsan County, North Phyongan Province of the DPRK. Modern
Paeksam-ri cliff is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a global geopark. The cliff is a geo-section
July 12, 2025
Paeksam-ri cliff is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a global geopark. The cliff is a geo-section
The Nano-engineering Branch of the State Academy of Sciences has recently developed an advanced optical fibre cloth production
July 12, 2025
The Nano-engineering Branch of the State Academy of Sciences has recently developed an advanced optical fibre cloth production
Informatization institute No. 1 of the Pyongyang Technology Corporation was selected as one of the top ten IT businesses of 2024.
July 12, 2025
Informatization institute No. 1 of the Pyongyang Technology Corporation was selected as one of the top ten IT businesses of 2024.
More Articles
