By: Hettie Basil Lighttower
If you are Japanese, you might have heard of this form of art called “Dorodango Balls”. The first part of the word “doro” means mud. And the “dango” means a type of dumpling very concentratedly pressed rice flour. The name in itself is very fascinating and contradictory since mud is not something we would eat, but rice of course is. This unique form of art is traditionally a pastime for school children! They of course do the basic form of it. But this process can be as lengthy and complex as the artist would like for it to be.
The general idea of it is to end up with a perfectly round sphere as if it were fabricated by a machine. They end up with various colors and can be any circumference with a high gloss finish. They can resemble stones and feel like stone once completed. It is totally up to the artist as to when it is completed.
It is an interesting process of literally just gathering up mud and shape it into a round ball as best you can in your hands. This first part is called the core. The core is left to sit and thoroughly dry and harden. Once it is dry then the fun begins. And the next steps can be repeated as much or as little as the designer cares to do. Muds from other areas may be used for variety and designs in the color or hues. And each time a layer is added you use a finer and finer grain of dirt. This will in turn create the polished look and finish to the ball or sphere.
Some techniques to create a finer grain of dirt is to put mud into a pan and add water. Then strain it through a cloth. Then through another cloth. And then a cloth can be used to gently polish the surface once you are decidedly finished with the layer additions. The sphere is still very fragile as you build the layers on. The process requires many hours of focus and attention so the ball does not break.
This whole idea is a therapy all in itself. The mud in your hand is very primal and connects you to the earth. The mud in your hand creates a tactile stimulation which is calming and gentle. It actually is nurturing to the soul. Then another benefit of this process provides is focus and critical thinking practice while trying to keep the spherical shape to the ball and while preventing it from breaking or cracking. A close eye must be held as well as a feel for what’s going on. This strengthens eye/hand coordination, another benefit for youngsters or those struggling with neurological challenges.
So, yeah…. Remember when we would make mud pies?? Well we were on the right track. We could have done so much more with those pies if we would have only known to just keep going !! And perhaps our neighbor’s yard had pretty mud than ours. We could have been making masterpieces and having mud swaps!
This whole process is basically the art of polishing dirt! Some folks have taken it to the extreme and created the challenge of what if I use this type of dung or manure and do the same thing? Yes, even ostrich dung has been attempted. Disclaimer: I’m not sure that ostrich excrement is called dung. I’m not taking the time to look that up right now. If you do and want to share the information with me that would be great. It might help me sleep better at night, knowing the correct terminology.
This completed balls of earth are made generally from common soil and eventually ends up with a magnificent sheen! In English the name translates literally to “shiny mud dumpling”. I have not tried making these, but I intend to before I die. I hear it is very satisfying to see something transition from a useless material into a work of art. And when it is completed you really have no idea that it is not made of a precious stone or mineral.
If you research this amazing art form on YouTube, you will find many different methods tricks and tips to gain a variety of results. Some of them very fancy. The main tip is to try to use different dirt or mud from different locations. Each scoop of mud had its own unique signature, composition and color.
If you get really good at making these simple shiny dumplings they can sell for different prices! Most however, are made to give away as gifts. Some people collect them or make their own collection. Once you start making them there is always a new challenge ahead to improve or make them different each time. They can even be dusted with mica powders for sheer elegance. I hope you will go online and check them out and be impressed with the many ways they turnout.
As always feel free to send in your notions and comments to [email protected]. I will include them in the next available column as per their arrival relative to the publication deadline of Tuesday by 12 p.m. of the same week. If you wish to be anonymous, let me know. Kindness is contagious~*