How to Make a Shiny Dorodango Mud Ball

The art of dorodango -- making highly polished, very shiny handmade spheres out of nothing but mud -- is sweeping Japan, and beginning to attract attention in the US. A finished dorodango looks like an oversized earthy marble, and it's hard to believe it's nothing more than mud. Doro-dango has captivated both adults and schoolchildren, and now you can learn about it too, along with the 'How to' technique for making your first shiny mud ball.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mud

1. 

   Read about dorodango (sometimes known as doro-dango, hikaru dorodango, or 'shining dorodango') and admire the images of these amazing balls of mud. The Resources section has links to more information.

2. 

   Get a good sized glob of mud in your hand, squeeze out the water, and form it into a sphere.

3. 

   Add some dry dirt to the outside of the ball, and continue shaping it into a sphere.

4. 

   Allow the sphere some time to dry somewhat, and then pack it solidly with your hands, while rubbing the surface to raise a gloss.

5. 

   Pat your hands on the ground to pick up powdery dirt, and continue patting and rubbing your sphere. Continue doing this for two hours (yep...I said two hours).

6. 

   Put the ball in a plastic bag for 3-4 hours. Remove the sphere, and repeat step 5 (above). Replace the ball in a plastic bag for some time.

7. Remove the ball again. If it is dry, then take a cloth and polish it to a high shine.

Tips & Warnings

• This isn't just a craft, but a way to focus the mind and spirit, learn patience, and pursue perfection.
• Dorodango.com has videos to help explain the technique, along with more detailed instructions

Resources

• Wikipedia entry on Dorodango
• Dorodango.com with plenty more information and techniques
• Need to know more? Give this professional research service a try

[moonsun55]

on 9/8/2009 I will try this, I added this to my favorites. Thanks for sharing How to Make a Shiny Dorodango Mud Ball

[runescape34]

on 8/11/2009 tis is the most amasing thing ever!thx

[clayman999]

on 6/23/2009 thank you i love working with clay making tiles,and stuff but i never thought of mixing water with dirt to make a shiny ball I'm going to make one of these tommorow

[AlishaV]

on 1/2/2009 I just watched the guys on Mythbusters do this to some dung to prove that you really can polish poop. It was really interesting how they worked so hard to form and polish the balls. Thanks for the info on how I can make doro-dango myself(out of dirt-not dung, yuk!).

[ursaminor]

on 4/28/2008 I've never heard of Dorodango before, and I am charmed and interested. Amazing. I would have no trouble spending a few hours doing this; I love throwing pots on a wheel, and this seems like a low-tech, weird version of this somehow. It's been a revelation. Thank you!*****