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2V Mud

1.V 1

Read about the Japanese craft of dorodango (sometimes known as doro-dango, hikaru
dorodango, or 'shining dorodango') and learn about its similarities (and differences) to
pottery and working with clay.

Admire the images of these amazing balls of mud. Depending on your choice of
starting materials (different muds from different sources), and your dorodango
technique, it's possible to produce a wide vareity of colors and textures in your
finished mud ball.

The Resources section has links to more information.

2.V 2

Find a good source of mud, or make your own with ordinary dirt and water. Unlike
traditional pottery, with clay as a primary medium, dorodango uses mud as its base.

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

3.V 3
 Add some dry dirt to the outside of the ball, and continue shaping it into a sphere.

4.V 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.V 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).

This is the essence of the art and craft of dorodango. You'll need persistence and
patience to make a finished product, along with practice to develop and refine your
technique.

The finished craft makes it all worthwhile, though.

6.V 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.V 7

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