Japanese Are Polishing Foil Balls To Perfection, And The Result Is Too Satisfying
Not only Japanese culture is absolutely nothing like we have in the West, but their creativity concerning pastimes and DIY projects might also look quite strange to us. This time the Japanese came up with an idea to turn boring aluminum foil into something beautiful. The tin foil itself is surely nothing exciting – It is used for packaging, insulation, cooking… and making really shiny aluminum foil balls that appear to have no real purpose, apparently. That’s right, thanks to a Japanese jeweler, the whole country became obsessed with refining these metal leaves to perfectly shiny tin foil balls, and we aren’t sure how to react.
According to Twitter user @puchuco709, they took a whole 16-meter (52-feet) long roll of the federal government brainwashing-blocking material and started abusing it – hammering, polishing it. After probably a gazillion repeats, the tin foil ball was finished. People instantly fell in love with this low-budget DIY foil ball project, flooding Japanese social media with their very own versions. Can you think of a use for these Japanese foil balls? Let us know in the comments!
It all starts with an aluminum foil ball like this one:
Image credits: sekaiminzoku
Then, with incredible amounts of determination…
Image credits: skytomo
Image credits: sekaiminzoku
…lots and lots of repeating the same tedious task…
Image credits: skytomo
Image credits: tomooo.25
…and hours of polishing to perfection…
Image credits: skytomo
Image credits: sekaiminzoku
Image credits: skytomo
It turns into something like this!
Image credits: sekaiminzoku
Image credits: skytomo
People instantly fell in love with this low-budget DIY project
Image credits: skytomo
Image credits: sekaiminzoku
Flooding Japanese social media with their very own versions
Image credits: sekaiminzoku
Image credits: puchuco709
Here’s what people had to say about the trend:
I like how Japanese fads are literally art while American fads tend to be incredibly stupid and oftentimes deadly.
This actually is a form of meditation. The focus and repetitive movements all create a deep calm and serenity for those inclined to do this. It's the same for any creative art, painting, woodwork, sewing, etc. I'm going to have a go but I bet mine will be nothing like the ones pictured above 😄
Wow that's cool!! I remember I had an obsession of making these, but I never knew you could actually make a perfect ball out of them. Looks like it's time for me to get on with it then...
Load More Replies...I almost went for the tin foil but realized I could clean the house for a year with the same amount of effort so meh never mind, to both ;p
30 years ago when I was a teenager we used to do this with the foil from cigarette packs that were emptied by parents and grandparents that smoked. Peel the paper off the foil, then roll the foil into a ball and then keep adding foil and keep rolling it to a mirror finish. The ball just kept getting bigger and bigger.
I came here to add this! Glad I wasn't the only weirdo collecting cigarette foil as a kid :P
Load More Replies...I saw the first picture and thought " finally, something artistic I can do. " Then I kept scrolling and came crashing back to earth. C**p, I still haven't got any talent.
Art is technique and patience, not talent. If you stop to learn how they do it and then take the time to reproduce it, you can do it too. The hard part is not giving up half way through.
Load More Replies...What would happen if those used that foil that Hershey's Kisses come in? I imagine the color would flake off in the process, but if not it might have a cool rainbowy effect.
i'm two hours into this project and it is much harder than you think. i'm wearing gloves and a mask so i don't inhale the dust. you need a bunch of dedication, but it is a good past time. it gives you a focus that blanks you out from reality. i probably need two more days to finish this
I really want to try this now!! I probably don’t have the patience though...
I actually tried it today, turned into an egg shape, then a jellybean then something kind of like a cube... Oh well
Load More Replies...Phantasm flashbacks over here. I expect the end results of tis could sprout prongs and start chacing people ny moment now. But a cool idea and kudos to people with thus much determination.
i tried this, but forgot to take my lunch out first, so... anybody want a really shiny perfectly spherical tuna sandwich?
I think it's pretty cool. If you want to take all that time and effort into it, why not do it? The end results are totally worth it. There is something so amazing about a perfect orb, esp. one that is shiny and reflective like these are. I actually collect stone/or glass orbs myself. All in different sizes too and display them and little pedestals. I have one made of crystal and it's the size of a grapefruit. It's like a crystal ball and it looks so beautiful under a lamp. Maybe I will have a go at making my own tin foil ball!
If anyone is serious about making one, I have a tip that will make it easier to get a evenly spherical shape. I used to crumple up a ball of aluminum foil to use in the dryer. As the foil bounces around, hitting the dryer walls, it gets more and more compact and nicely spherical. Trouble is, it starts to break into bits so I decided to stuff the ball into the toe end of some old panty hose, pulled it snug and tied it with twine. ---- When I saw this article, I got my 'dryer ball' out and cut the pantyhose off and found I had a tight hard round ball with no bits broken off. I'm planning on using it to continue my try at the polished ball. Tested a hammer on it and it can still be compressed more but it's pretty hard already. --- If you try this trick, make sure you pull the fine nylon mesh tight. Use a knot that won't come undone and when the cut the extra hose off, leave a couple of inches past the knot to make extra sure it doesn't come apart.
Japanese: we make balls perfectly rounded out of a five cent foil, what do you do? Americans: we snort condoms and eat TidePods for fun.
Japanese people do the same thing with mud, polishing it to unbelievable levels. Its called the art of hikaru dorodango, and involves adding layers of dirt to a ball of mud, and then polishing it.
I've been polishing my balls for years yet they're not nearly as shiny.
This is mad, a good kind of mad but still... I love the Japanese. They're off the wall but impressive at the same time!
I refuse to acknowledge that beautiful craftsman projects are ever a "waste of time," or "harmless past times" This is an amazing, intelligent, innovative, creative and self improving pursuit. We should all find such an activity.
Eh, who cares about the meaning behind it? Personally, an Internet trend is an Internet trend and this one just happens to be really really cool! If I had the materials and energy I would love to do this!
it's very light, like a roll of paper towels?
Load More Replies...The idea of a smart forward thinking society and a culture that represents integrity and quality was such an amazing thing to hold onto.... Until I lived in Tokyo. I envy the fans Of Japan that have never lived in Japan!
Watch me take up this Challenge.. And also this is a challenge for all the patient DIYers.. Can you turn this ordinary material into something special?? https://youtu.be/TwFkYZfhyxo
Wow! A nation with everything and nothing left to do but inane silliness as they crouch in their very tiny apartments waiting for Godot.
NOT VEY GOOD FOR YOU HANDLING THEM,ABSORBING TOXIC ALLY INTO YOUR SKIN.MAYBE THEY CAN BE USED AS RADIATION SHIELD BUT BETTER TO USE NEODINIUM MAGNETS!
ball up your easter egg foil and rub it on a work top. (not your mums fancy table) shins up quick.
Good way for college sophmores to kill time. When i was, learned to excell at knibbling.
I get pretty much the same result from putting aluminum foil balls in my dryer. Cuts down on static plus I get homemade 'marbles' of foil!
It kind of reminds me of the cigarette foil papers that some people used to save [remove the tissue backing]& roll into a tight ball looking much the same...for paperweight
What wonderful, meditative way to develop self-discipline.
Use?!? YES!!!! Dryer balls. I put the crumpled version in my dryer to eliminate static cling, can't imagine how long these polished beauties will last. (My crumpled ones last about a month...)
Since its done by japanese and all i suddenly remembered the rice balls made by misaki from maid sama and also hikari from special A 🤣🤣
This looks a little easier than polishing mud. ;D I did this to the point of about the third picture but I had no idea they could actually get SHINY, so I'm doing it again!
The Japanese didn't just "invent" this, its been around a while, I remember making these in middle school art class and that was in the early 90's, but its been a thing since before then.
American. Hold my beer. Let me get my blow torch. 10 minutes later. Molten ball of Aluminum foil.
not really a "new" idea. see http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2012/11/ball_of_29000_gum_wrappers_rem.html
not so new. see http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2012/11/ball_of_29000_gum_wrappers_rem.html
I don't know about aluminum balls, but I do know that the Japanese are some of the finest people on the planet. I spent a lot of time in Japan, and have often commented that all the cultures would emulate the Japanese culture, we would have a perfect world.
Well, I guess it's just taking a metal that has been beaten and stretched into a very thin sheet and turning it back into a lump of metal again! I can see RSI setting in if I tried it. But looks pretty
first i need to go and buy foil - lots of heavy duty foil
Load More Replies...I'm gonna do this! Gonna buy foil with my E-Pay card tomorrow!
Omg my dad and I used to do this when I was a kid with the foil from the old cigarette packs lol this is going back 20+ years ago tho
Tried it, forgot how pathetic my joints are. Currently in a wrist brace with an ace bandage on my elbow
I know I’m a spoil sport, but I look at everything from an environmental viewpoint and this looks like a big waste of resources....water, electricity ( in the refining process) not to mention aluminum. It’s your future —-or not—kids.
We used to do this back in the 70's, before the internet. A old urban legend would pop up every once in a while where aluminum was "rare" and metal companies were paying top dollar ($20 to $80 depending on the story at the time). We would start saving the foil from cigarette packs and make them into balls. We'd take the paper off the foil with a lighter, gently running the flame across the underside to lift the paper off to get the "pure" foil. If you burned the paper it would stick to the foil and not stick to the ball! Mine was about the size of a baseball when my Dad showed me a newspaper clipping exposing the truth: the whole thing was a hoax! Awwww!
The finished item is stupidly amazing but I’m afraid I went from First I Age (yeah so an aluminium ball jumped to “oh a candle” to “oh wow pretty’ final image. Nope would not have the patience. But I do see someone making money put of selling kits (hammer included) to make these items.
ART? What are you left with? A ball of aluminum foil. You could do this with cow pies. Dry thoroughly and compress into s sold circular shape. Shave uneven bits. Use sandpaper. And what have you got after all your hours or work? A useless ball of pooh.
..... I been doing this since I was three.....with tiny pieces, this really isn't new.....
America.. Hold my beer. Let me get my blow torch. 10 minutes later. Molten ball of aluminum.
Maybe that's part of the point, it's not immediate gratification, and it's something done for you to enjoy after all of the hard work because you know the time and dedication you put into it.
Load More Replies...You're comparing two different things though. The aluminium ball vs tide pod comments compared two hobbies (although I agree it's unfair to dismiss the achievements of American teenagers). You're comparing a hobby with political activism - the two aren't comparable. It's like saying Person A is a great artist whilst Person B forgot to replace the toilet roll. Both may be true but the comparison doesn't actually mean anything.
Load More Replies...That's what gloves are for. You can buy a package of 50 or 100 vinyl gloves for under $10.00.
Load More Replies...You mean the food wrap they are using? I have some bad news....
Load More Replies...Why not? They could be eating detergent instead of actually making something.
Load More Replies...I like how Japanese fads are literally art while American fads tend to be incredibly stupid and oftentimes deadly.
This actually is a form of meditation. The focus and repetitive movements all create a deep calm and serenity for those inclined to do this. It's the same for any creative art, painting, woodwork, sewing, etc. I'm going to have a go but I bet mine will be nothing like the ones pictured above 😄
Wow that's cool!! I remember I had an obsession of making these, but I never knew you could actually make a perfect ball out of them. Looks like it's time for me to get on with it then...
Load More Replies...I almost went for the tin foil but realized I could clean the house for a year with the same amount of effort so meh never mind, to both ;p
30 years ago when I was a teenager we used to do this with the foil from cigarette packs that were emptied by parents and grandparents that smoked. Peel the paper off the foil, then roll the foil into a ball and then keep adding foil and keep rolling it to a mirror finish. The ball just kept getting bigger and bigger.
I came here to add this! Glad I wasn't the only weirdo collecting cigarette foil as a kid :P
Load More Replies...I saw the first picture and thought " finally, something artistic I can do. " Then I kept scrolling and came crashing back to earth. C**p, I still haven't got any talent.
Art is technique and patience, not talent. If you stop to learn how they do it and then take the time to reproduce it, you can do it too. The hard part is not giving up half way through.
Load More Replies...What would happen if those used that foil that Hershey's Kisses come in? I imagine the color would flake off in the process, but if not it might have a cool rainbowy effect.
i'm two hours into this project and it is much harder than you think. i'm wearing gloves and a mask so i don't inhale the dust. you need a bunch of dedication, but it is a good past time. it gives you a focus that blanks you out from reality. i probably need two more days to finish this
I really want to try this now!! I probably don’t have the patience though...
I actually tried it today, turned into an egg shape, then a jellybean then something kind of like a cube... Oh well
Load More Replies...Phantasm flashbacks over here. I expect the end results of tis could sprout prongs and start chacing people ny moment now. But a cool idea and kudos to people with thus much determination.
i tried this, but forgot to take my lunch out first, so... anybody want a really shiny perfectly spherical tuna sandwich?
I think it's pretty cool. If you want to take all that time and effort into it, why not do it? The end results are totally worth it. There is something so amazing about a perfect orb, esp. one that is shiny and reflective like these are. I actually collect stone/or glass orbs myself. All in different sizes too and display them and little pedestals. I have one made of crystal and it's the size of a grapefruit. It's like a crystal ball and it looks so beautiful under a lamp. Maybe I will have a go at making my own tin foil ball!
If anyone is serious about making one, I have a tip that will make it easier to get a evenly spherical shape. I used to crumple up a ball of aluminum foil to use in the dryer. As the foil bounces around, hitting the dryer walls, it gets more and more compact and nicely spherical. Trouble is, it starts to break into bits so I decided to stuff the ball into the toe end of some old panty hose, pulled it snug and tied it with twine. ---- When I saw this article, I got my 'dryer ball' out and cut the pantyhose off and found I had a tight hard round ball with no bits broken off. I'm planning on using it to continue my try at the polished ball. Tested a hammer on it and it can still be compressed more but it's pretty hard already. --- If you try this trick, make sure you pull the fine nylon mesh tight. Use a knot that won't come undone and when the cut the extra hose off, leave a couple of inches past the knot to make extra sure it doesn't come apart.
Japanese: we make balls perfectly rounded out of a five cent foil, what do you do? Americans: we snort condoms and eat TidePods for fun.
Japanese people do the same thing with mud, polishing it to unbelievable levels. Its called the art of hikaru dorodango, and involves adding layers of dirt to a ball of mud, and then polishing it.
I've been polishing my balls for years yet they're not nearly as shiny.
This is mad, a good kind of mad but still... I love the Japanese. They're off the wall but impressive at the same time!
I refuse to acknowledge that beautiful craftsman projects are ever a "waste of time," or "harmless past times" This is an amazing, intelligent, innovative, creative and self improving pursuit. We should all find such an activity.
Eh, who cares about the meaning behind it? Personally, an Internet trend is an Internet trend and this one just happens to be really really cool! If I had the materials and energy I would love to do this!
it's very light, like a roll of paper towels?
Load More Replies...The idea of a smart forward thinking society and a culture that represents integrity and quality was such an amazing thing to hold onto.... Until I lived in Tokyo. I envy the fans Of Japan that have never lived in Japan!
Watch me take up this Challenge.. And also this is a challenge for all the patient DIYers.. Can you turn this ordinary material into something special?? https://youtu.be/TwFkYZfhyxo
Wow! A nation with everything and nothing left to do but inane silliness as they crouch in their very tiny apartments waiting for Godot.
NOT VEY GOOD FOR YOU HANDLING THEM,ABSORBING TOXIC ALLY INTO YOUR SKIN.MAYBE THEY CAN BE USED AS RADIATION SHIELD BUT BETTER TO USE NEODINIUM MAGNETS!
ball up your easter egg foil and rub it on a work top. (not your mums fancy table) shins up quick.
Good way for college sophmores to kill time. When i was, learned to excell at knibbling.
I get pretty much the same result from putting aluminum foil balls in my dryer. Cuts down on static plus I get homemade 'marbles' of foil!
It kind of reminds me of the cigarette foil papers that some people used to save [remove the tissue backing]& roll into a tight ball looking much the same...for paperweight
What wonderful, meditative way to develop self-discipline.
Use?!? YES!!!! Dryer balls. I put the crumpled version in my dryer to eliminate static cling, can't imagine how long these polished beauties will last. (My crumpled ones last about a month...)
Since its done by japanese and all i suddenly remembered the rice balls made by misaki from maid sama and also hikari from special A 🤣🤣
This looks a little easier than polishing mud. ;D I did this to the point of about the third picture but I had no idea they could actually get SHINY, so I'm doing it again!
The Japanese didn't just "invent" this, its been around a while, I remember making these in middle school art class and that was in the early 90's, but its been a thing since before then.
American. Hold my beer. Let me get my blow torch. 10 minutes later. Molten ball of Aluminum foil.
not really a "new" idea. see http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2012/11/ball_of_29000_gum_wrappers_rem.html
not so new. see http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2012/11/ball_of_29000_gum_wrappers_rem.html
I don't know about aluminum balls, but I do know that the Japanese are some of the finest people on the planet. I spent a lot of time in Japan, and have often commented that all the cultures would emulate the Japanese culture, we would have a perfect world.
Well, I guess it's just taking a metal that has been beaten and stretched into a very thin sheet and turning it back into a lump of metal again! I can see RSI setting in if I tried it. But looks pretty
first i need to go and buy foil - lots of heavy duty foil
Load More Replies...I'm gonna do this! Gonna buy foil with my E-Pay card tomorrow!
Omg my dad and I used to do this when I was a kid with the foil from the old cigarette packs lol this is going back 20+ years ago tho
Tried it, forgot how pathetic my joints are. Currently in a wrist brace with an ace bandage on my elbow
I know I’m a spoil sport, but I look at everything from an environmental viewpoint and this looks like a big waste of resources....water, electricity ( in the refining process) not to mention aluminum. It’s your future —-or not—kids.
We used to do this back in the 70's, before the internet. A old urban legend would pop up every once in a while where aluminum was "rare" and metal companies were paying top dollar ($20 to $80 depending on the story at the time). We would start saving the foil from cigarette packs and make them into balls. We'd take the paper off the foil with a lighter, gently running the flame across the underside to lift the paper off to get the "pure" foil. If you burned the paper it would stick to the foil and not stick to the ball! Mine was about the size of a baseball when my Dad showed me a newspaper clipping exposing the truth: the whole thing was a hoax! Awwww!
The finished item is stupidly amazing but I’m afraid I went from First I Age (yeah so an aluminium ball jumped to “oh a candle” to “oh wow pretty’ final image. Nope would not have the patience. But I do see someone making money put of selling kits (hammer included) to make these items.
ART? What are you left with? A ball of aluminum foil. You could do this with cow pies. Dry thoroughly and compress into s sold circular shape. Shave uneven bits. Use sandpaper. And what have you got after all your hours or work? A useless ball of pooh.
..... I been doing this since I was three.....with tiny pieces, this really isn't new.....
America.. Hold my beer. Let me get my blow torch. 10 minutes later. Molten ball of aluminum.
Maybe that's part of the point, it's not immediate gratification, and it's something done for you to enjoy after all of the hard work because you know the time and dedication you put into it.
Load More Replies...You're comparing two different things though. The aluminium ball vs tide pod comments compared two hobbies (although I agree it's unfair to dismiss the achievements of American teenagers). You're comparing a hobby with political activism - the two aren't comparable. It's like saying Person A is a great artist whilst Person B forgot to replace the toilet roll. Both may be true but the comparison doesn't actually mean anything.
Load More Replies...That's what gloves are for. You can buy a package of 50 or 100 vinyl gloves for under $10.00.
Load More Replies...You mean the food wrap they are using? I have some bad news....
Load More Replies...Why not? They could be eating detergent instead of actually making something.
Load More Replies...
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