Dorodango

Intro: Dorodango

Dorodango is a form of "mud art" that is very popular across japan. It is often done in preschool and as a hobby for several japanese people. All Dorodango really is, is making a ball of mud. However as you will see its so much cooler than that.

STEP 1: Materials

This is a very simple project. All you will need is as follows.

Dirt/ soil (not sand)
Water
Dry sand/dry dirt (yes i contradicted my self you may use sand for one part.)
a plastic bag
time
patience 
a cloth

STEP 2: Make the Ball

okay so first what you need to do is find a place where there is wet dirt/ soil, or make it with dry then add water. once you get this grab a handful and start shaping it into a ball. As you do this try as hard as possible to squeeze out all of the water. So neo you should have like a ball of mud like the one in the photo below.

STEP 3: Add Dry Sand

now you really need to focus on making a round ball instead of anything shiny yet. after shaping the ball for a few minutes take some dry sand and sprinkle a small pile of it on the ball then wipe it off. this will leave sand stuck to the ball cover the ball with dry sand and you make sure it keeps its round shape.

STEP 4: Continue Until Smooth

now just keep puuting heaps of dry soil on the ball and removing them for 30-40 minutesuntil your ball begins to get a smooth surface. Once you think you are done keep going for another minute then blow on the ball to get off any not attached soil.

STEP 5: Let the Ball Dry

Next you need to carefully put your bag sealed in a plastic shopping bag. make sure to rest it on a soft surface. This will suck out any water left in your ball. Let this sit for atleast a couple of hours or overnight.

STEP 6: Keep Rubbing

once you remove the ball from the bag keep rubbing on more dry sand for 2-3 minutes on the dry surface. Next you want do rub your hand in some dry sand getting it dusty the rub that dust all over the ball for 20-30 minutes. After that you may begin polishing it witha cloth or a sock or something until it starts to shine! At the end it kind of looks like a shot put.

Comments

[Pheline]

Would a relatively small one be a good try? I've done something similar by burnishing earthenware pottery. These can't be fired without risk just because of how the clay has been left quite rough and natural.

[jtobako]

Is this a burnished clay or something else? And where does the color come from-is it added or dependent on which soil is used?

[waterski4life1]

usually, can't speak for them, but usually it is the color of the soil

[AnaM30]

you can add further minerals to the exterior mix. The clay Ive used has a lot of iron oxide.

[The laser guy]

when i first add dirt to the ball it cracks how can i stop that

[AnaM30]

Press better, dry slower and adjust the mix as previously proposed.

[Jakey2]

less sand, more clay :)

[blue66]

I have been doing Dorodango for several years, but in this case I do not believe that the polish is achieved only by polishing a cloth.

[AnaM30]

I use the mouth of a glass jar/bottle

[JudithAL]

Is it possible to make a bowl like this and use it for dry food? Wet food? Does it degrade when it’s wet?
Thank you.

[AnaM30]

For food, how so?

The ball will dissolve with water.
Youd need to cook the clay, usually at 900°C. Though, it will probably change texture and colour. When you cook it, itll probably be in a ceramic oven, and people working there might show you a cooked sample and give tou further advice.

[Building Books]

I've been meaning to make an instructable about this topic for a while. Never got around to it but. It's great to see it finally come to the site though. Also I know it's nice to show glorious photos of dorodango's by professionals, It'd be nice to see some of your own finished work: http://www.dorodango.net/

[sugarhi911]

this was my 3rd dorodango attempt and byfar the best so far

[The laser guy]

how did you get it so shiney i tryed to polish mine the outter shell flaked off any tips

[kihidokid]

Patience and carefulness and time

[ahjkiu]

Wow how did you get it so shiny?

[Building Books]

That is one sexy dorodango. It almost looks like it's mostly translucent with copper goodness =)

[UlyssaO]

It can be done with sand. I live in Florida and sand is the only thing around! I dug into the ground to find an orange deposit of sand and I used that to make my core. It wasn't as easy but it can be done. The main concern is having dirt with some kind of clay in it

[generic etc]

Six years. The longevity of the many typos in this may have set an internet record.

Thanks for the instructions, nonetheless.

[PortenousAugury]

Almost seven.