Dorodango

[KingBrianI]

I saw an episode of mythbusters recently in which they proved you CAN actually polish a turd. But that's not what I'm writing this thread about. Instead, it's how they polished it that is interesting. Dorodango is the Japanese art of turning ordinary dirt into solid shining perfectly spherical billiard ball looking things. It's actually much cooler than it sounds. Go here http://www.kyokyo-u.ac.jp/youkyou/4/english4.htm for in-depth instructions on how to make them and pictures of the final product. I began making one yesterday and I've gotta tell you, it's a lot of fun! There's something almost meditative about slowly shaping dirt into something so perfect. It's especially cool because there's no need to buy anything, just go out into the backyard or wherever you can grab some dirt and get started. Different dirts create balls of different colors so one idea is to collect dirt from areas you travel and create a personal memento from each destination. I heartily recommend everyone at least give this a try, especially if you have kids. It's cheap and very rewarding to create something so unique out of such an unassuming material with your own hands.

 

[Domminigan]

Awesome! I had thought about looking for info on how to do it properly but just forgot! Thanks!

 

[RoaringBrewer]

Wow - I have no patience for that... but it's pretty interesting none the less.

 

[homebrewer_99]

Question 1: How'd you get it to sit on a chair?

Question 2: How'd you keep the kids from eating your gum ball...tell them it's mud?

Interesting site...

 

[KingBrianI]

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that the picture was mine. I found it on the web to illustrate what they end up looking like. Mine is being polished right now though I don't think it will get as shiny as the picture above. I'll take a pic when it's done and post it.

 

[Homercidal]

Pretty cool. I can see myself doing this on our annual Island Backpacking trip. Something relaxing to do in the evening.

I bet that if you had some colored powders, you could make it any color you wanted in the end.

 

[homebrewer_99]

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that the picture was mine. I found it on the web to illustrate what they end up looking like. Mine is being polished right now though I don't think it will get as shiny as the picture above. I'll take a pic when it's done and post it.

That's cool. It's a good example.

 

[RoaringBrewer]

Can't wait to see yours King...

What happens if you then take the nice little shiny ball and chuck it against a wall or the ground? Is it that compacted that it might hold some of its form or would it just crumble like dirt?

 

[wildwest450]

I'd rather slam my junk in a car door than polish dirt.

But if you like it, good on ya!

 

[KingBrianI]

I'd rather slam my junk in a car door than polish dirt.

But if you like it, good on ya!

lol, it's definitely not a hobby for the ritalin crowd.

Here's mine. I did the white ball method last night. I think it is still drying a bit so it may continue to get lighter over the next few days. I'm very happy with it overall. It's not quite as shiny as some of the pictures I've seen but it's a good first attempt. The shininess isn't quite uniform either. Roundness is really good though. There are a few slight imperfections but I was surprised by how good a sphere it turned out to be.

 

[KingBrianI]

Can't wait to see yours King...

What happens if you then take the nice little shiny ball and chuck it against a wall or the ground? Is it that compacted that it might hold some of its form or would it just crumble like dirt?

It would just crumble. There's a drit clod core with a kind of smooth shell over it. They seem to be pretty fragile, though I haven't tried smashing mine yet.

 

[KingBrianI]

lol, it's definitely not a hobby for the ritalin crowd.

Here's mine. I did the white ball method last night. I think it is still drying a bit so it may continue to get lighter over the next few days. I'm very happy with it overall. It's not quite as shiny as some of the pictures I've seen but it's a good first attempt. The shininess isn't quite uniform either. Roundness is really good though. There are a few slight imperfections but I was surprised by how good a sphere it turned out to be.

It hasn't lightened up or shined up any more since yesterday so I think it's pretty much dry. I'll have to try making another and trying to get it a bit shinier although this one isn't too bad.

 

[Bedlam]

whoa! That looks...well, not at all like dirt! I'm actually pretty surprised. You should go professional, as you are obviously a natural.

 

[UnaBonger]

now have a coupla beers and throw it against the wall...... you know you wanna! j/k, nice job!

 

[Homercidal]

Trying to decide if painting it with lacquer would work. I have a feeling that painting over it would not be successful. Probably too much moisture still in it.

 

[Bedlam]

Will it stay shiny or will the sheen dull down gradually?

 

[KingBrianI]

Trying to decide if painting it with lacquer would work. I have a feeling that painting over it would not be successful. Probably too much moisture still in it.

I think the lacquer would mess it up. My girlfriend put a scratch in it and I tried to take it out by slightly wetting the scratch and polishing and all it accomplished was dulling where it was wetted. Anyway, part of the coolness is that it is only dirt.

Will it stay shiny or will the sheen dull down gradually?

It should stay shiny as long as I don't doing anything stupid like try to polish out a scratch.

 

[RoaringBrewer]

wow, that looks incredible King...

I know I don't have the patience for it, but it makes me want to try it! LOL

How many hours did you put into it?

 

[KingBrianI]

wow, that looks incredible King...

I know I don't have the patience for it, but it makes me want to try it! LOL

How many hours did you put into it?

I did most of it while watching TV so it didn't seem to really take a ton of time. I'd say I probably put 3 hours or so into it all told. Unfortunately it began developing a tiny hairline crack tonight. Oh well, I'll just have to make some more!