Shiny Mud Balls | Science and Education | Trends in Japan | Web Japan

Shiny Mud Balls | Science and Education | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
At elementary schools, kindergartens, and preschools all across Japan, kids are losing themselves making hikaru dorodango, or balls of mud that shine. Behind this boom is Professor Fumio Kayo of the Kyoto University of Education. Kayo is a psychologist who researches children's play, and he first came across these glistening dorodango at a nursery school in Kyoto two years ago. He was impressed and devised a method of making dorodango that could be followed even by children. Once Kayo teaches children how to make these mud balls, they become absorbed in forming a sphere, and they put all their energy into polishing the ball until it sparkles. The dorodango soon becomes the child's greatest treasure. Kayo sees in this phenomenon the essence of children's play, and he has written academic papers on the subject. The mud balls could also offer fresh insights into how play aids children's growth.

JapanBall.com - Bob Bavasi's Guide to Japanese Baseball

Baseball Japans national pass time.

Coming from Australia i have never really had much to do with Baseball, but here in Japan they go crazy for it. As you fly in over tokyo all you can see for miles are massive nets. At first i wondered what the hell are those (massive bird cage?), but any Japanese or American Baseball nut would automatically tell you that they are Baseball diamonds.

If you walk past any park, field or even under some bridges you will see someone throughing a fast ball.
For those of you ready to try it out, its not had to find an indoor simulated batting machine. I would suggest one of these first if you have never swung a bat, mainly becuase those balls can fly over 100kmh.

If you are interested in having a game or just seeing one, i would suggest checking out this site below

JapanBall.com - Bob Bavasi's Guide to Japanese Baseball