Before the Meiji period when sake brewing became modernized, yamaoroshi was extremely hard work: rice milling was conducted powered by a water wheel; then, steamed rice and water were put into a flat large tub and were patiently rammed with a mash paddle.
酒造りが近代化される明治時代以前は、精米は水車で行なわれ、半切り桶の中に蒸米と水をいれ、櫂（かい）で丹念にすりつぶすという大変な重労働であった。