What is a BJD?
A ball-jointed doll (BJD) is a fully posable collectible doll cast in resin, held together by elastic cord and designed to be customized from face to toe.
Definition
BJD stands for ball-jointed doll. Every major joint - neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees and ankles - is a ball-and-socket joint, so the doll can sit, stand and hold natural poses. Most BJDs are cast in polyurethane resin, which feels weighty and smooth, almost like porcelain.
A short history
Jointed dolls have existed in Europe since the 19th century, but the modern BJD began in Japan in 1999, when Volks released the Super Dollfie (SD), a 1/3-scale resin doll made for customization. Korean makers such as Crobidoll and DOLLSN later expanded the hobby with original sculpts and a wide range of sizes. Today BJDs are collected all over the world.
Anatomy of a BJD
- Resin: cast polyurethane resin parts, sanded and finished by hand.
- Stringing: thick elastic cord runs through the body and pulls the parts together; the tension keeps poses stable.
- Joints: ball joints, and on many dolls double joints at the elbows and knees for a deeper bend.
- Head: usually hollow with a removable head cap so the eyes can be changed; eyes are held with putty or a magnet.
Made to be customized
- Face-up: hand-painted makeup with pastels, pencils and acrylics, sealed with matte varnish.
- Eyes: swappable eyes in glass, urethane or resin, sized in millimetres.
- Wigs: sized by head circumference in inches, in synthetic fibre or mohair.
- Outfits & shoes: made for each size, from everyday clothes to elaborate costumes.
Why collectors love BJDs
A BJD is a blank canvas: two owners of the same doll can end up with completely different characters. Collectors enjoy photography, sewing, painting, storytelling and meeting other fans, and a well-cared-for resin doll can last for decades.
