This should probably go in the book review section but I thought that it might be more relevant here.

Ryo Yoshida is a Japanese ball-jointed doll maker and one of the founders of Doll Space Pygmalion, a place that offers classes on methods of constructing these dolls.  A couple of years ago the book Yoshida Style: Ball Jointed Doll Making Guide was published by Hobby Japan.  This book is incredible; a step by step process that covers every aspect of the making of these amazing dolls.  The book is all in Japanese but the photos provide a pretty good idea into what is going on. 
The book is usually listed on ebay and, as far as I know, is always available here:

http://www.verycoolthings.com/vct/Neo_getpage.cgi?page=itemtoy&itemID=14742

Those that want or need more information can obtain a translation of the text here:

http://www.potbellybears.com/YOSHIDA%20translation%20from%20Den%20of%20Angels.doc

It sounds very fascinating.....I wish I could see more pictures of the dolls and see how the joints work......if they are stiff or easily movable.  I am going to try to get my hands on this book and check things out.......thanks for sharing.......

Daryl H

The Pygmalion site might also be relevant to your interests. 

http://pygmalion.mda.or.jp/

There are lots of photos from many of the better known bjd artists plus a heap of links to others.  The site is all in Japanese and many of the images would be considered not safe for work- just doll nudity but the level of realism that many of the artists strive for can be, ahem, shocking or slightly unsettling.