You do not need to know how to read Japanese, this book has many step by step photos and diagrams that are easy to understand. This is somewhat a "part two" to the BJD making book with Alice in Wonderland on the cover but it does stand on it's own as a ball joint doll making book. This isn't a book for the very first time doll maker but if you have some doll making or crafting experience you'll be okay. Many Japanese craft books are marketed to users with a certain level of skills, it helps if you've used air dry clay before. It uses a similar format to the other books using air dry clay over a removable core with some different ideas, like the Alice book, and if you follow the instructions you'll end up with a doll.As I say with all the other books you won't be able to cheap out by making a doll instead of buying a lower priced ball joint. You will end up spending quite a bit on supplies, more if you make a mistake.First you're lead in the sculpting of a ball joint doll. This one has a torso joint and more grown up shape than Alice. Throughout the book are excellent tips on mold making and casting with Easy Slip and other modern compounds. You can figure out what a lot of the things are by looking them up on the internet, website names are provided for many products. Once you have your finished doll you make a mold then cast a copy of your doll. I'm guessing an air dry product is used. Finishing, painting, and dressing your doll is covered. There are full sized patterns for the clothes and the doll in the back.I don't see anyone using this book to start their own ball joint doll company but it is a must have. If you're just getting in to the books you can skip the others and start here, maybe get the Alice book if you're an absolute beginner. This book will work as a stand in for the Yoshida book, both reach the same end and this one might be better.