Understanding the Art of “Hikaru Dorodango” Balls

Artist: Ethan Perry
School: B Block, Michealhouse, KZN Midlands
Medium: Clay

What are Dorodango?

Hikaru Doradango are simply balls of mud that have been rolled into near perfect spheres, where they are further polished using similar techniques until perfectly shined.

Although the exact origins are unknown, it is thought that the craft was established many centuries ago in the schools of ancient Japan, where it is thought that school children first discovered that by rolling balls of mud on a round rimed cup, they could produce polished balls of mud that look like stone or glazed ceramics.

However, the artform did not take off and remained a pastime of young children as the practise slowly faded into the dust. By the late 20th century Dorodango was extinct. The memory of the craft faded from the minds slowly into oblivion.

Until in 1999 a Japanese Professor of education stumbled upon this dead culture while studying the psychology of children’s play. He rebranded the craft as a mean of stress relief and Zen and through the media he created the international sensation it is today.

I stumbled upon this incredible tradition in mid-2025, where I rolled a simple ball of the infamous KZN red clay which I collected from under a tap. This started the itch as I have been creating them ever since.

It is really satisfying to create something so beautiful from something so mundane. The best way to describe this transformation has to be through alchemy.

The balls are mostly made up of clay as a base so that the ball holds its shape and is easier to work with. Fine sand is a secondary additive to enhance the shine of the ball.

Lastly a fibre is necessary so that the ball does not crack and warp as the clay dries and shrinks.