Dorodango is the name for the art of creating what I hope you will agree are surprisingly beautiful polished spheres of earth. Beyond surface beauty, I find that much of the appeal of dorodango is attributable to the unexpected transformation of mundane materials into refined pieces of art.

Each piece (also called dorodango) is made by hand with minimal use of tools. Color and luster of individual pieces varies widely based on material selection and craftsmanship. Variations may include a layer of paint or other embellishments as the artist sees fit, but in it’s purest form dorodango is made only of soil and water. Typically creation involves several hours of work spread over about a week. Dorodango are dried naturally during the creation process and are never fired like pottery.

The art of dorodango originated in Japan and it’s name is literally translated as “mud dumpling”. While the precise details of origin are unknown, a relatively recent resurgence in popularity is attributed to the work of professor Fumio Kayo of Kyoto University of Education. Professor Fumio employed dorodango making in behavioral studies of children at play. A number of television broadcasts publicized his work and dorodango rode a wave of popularity in the early 2000’s.

I find dorodango to be a great creative outlet. With each attempt I learn a bit more about the craft and I enjoy watching as the results improve.