Dorodango - a form that reflects the beauty of nature

What is Dorodango?

Dorodango is a Japanese art form in which clay soil is shaped into a round ball and polished to create a shiny, smooth sphere. It is a symbol of the Japanese aesthetic – simple and perfect in its imperfection. Each Dorodango is unique, reflecting the characteristics of the material used to create it and the care taken by the ball molder.

The phrase Dorodango is derived from the Japanese words doro (“mud”) and dango (a round dumpling made from pressed rice flour). Dorodango can be either shiny or matte, hence the word Hikaru, which means “shiny” or “glossy” in Japanese, is also used. Hikaru Dorodango means shiny mud dumpling in Estonian. But it would be more accurate to call these balls shiny mud balls or simply clay balls or clay balls.

This journey begins with a connection to the earth itself.

The process of creating a dorodango transforms both the material itself and the maker. As you shape and polish the clay ball, you will find yourself becoming more patient and focused.
Making dorodango is a journey of discovery, during which you experiment with different clays and pigments, explore different techniques, and find your own unique style.

Origin and meaning

The tradition of dorodango in Japan dates back centuries. Originally a children's game of shaping round balls of clay soil in schoolyards or home gardens, it evolved into a meditative practice that adults began to value as an art of stillness and presence.
Dorodango gained attention in the early 2000s thanks to the work of Kyoto University professor Fumio Kayo. Kayo noticed children in a Kyoto kindergarten spending hours shaping balls of mud and polishing them until they began to shine. The children would compete with each other to see whose ball was the roundest and shiniest, and they would treasure their Dorodango. Kayo described it as a phenomenon that reflected the deepest essence of children’s play – experimentation, concentration and learning from nature.
Dorodango is deeply connected to the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi – a worldview that finds beauty in simplicity and perfection in imperfection. Each Dorodango is unique: it carries the special texture and colors of the earth. It is a collaboration between the earth and man, where both influence each other.

Dorodango as an experience

Creating a dorodango starts with a simple moment: you take a handful of clay soil and mix it with water. You shape the resulting clay ball between your hands until it becomes a strong and round ball. The ball then hardens, which can be polished until it shines like crystal. The clay ball can also be left matte.
Dorodango is a meditative journey that teaches patience, presence, and respect for natural processes.

Earthbender dorodango

Our Dorodagos are born from Estonian soil and clays of various shades, carrying the different colors and textures of the earth – from gray and brown tones to warm terracotta. Each sphere is hand-shaped and carefully polished. We do not use firing, chemicals or glazes.
The finished Dorodango can be matte and velvety or shiny like a magic stone. It all depends on the properties of the mixture. Pigments can also be used to give it a shade.

About the creation of Dorodango

Although there are many methods, the classic Dorodango creation follows a simple yet delicate rhythm:
The clay soil is kneaded into a round ball and excess moisture is removed.
A thin layer of fine dry clay is then sprinkled onto the clay ball and rubbed into the surface until it sets. The ball slowly hardens and dries, becoming “leather-hard.” If necessary, increasingly fine layers of dry clay dust are added and the surface is smoothed until it becomes dense and even.
The final step is polishing – hours of polishing, by hand, with a glass jar or a soft cloth. This creates a shine that always amazes everyone.
Making dorodango doesn't require complicated tools - just time and patience.

Meaning and usage

The finished Dorodango is suitable for both home decoration and a personal symbol.
Dorodango can be a decorative work of art, an object used in meditation, or a carrier of energy in a space. Many use it as a focal point in interior design, while others use it as a ritual object - a talisman symbolizing new beginnings and peace.

Dorodango is a small but meaningful object that carries the energy of the earth.
Dorodango is the moment when the earth and man breathe in the same rhythm.
Dorodango is clay's journey to perfect form.