The annual Tokyo Art Book Fair (TABF) at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo in Kiyosumi returns this December at a larger scale than ever before, taking place over two weekends for the first time: December 11 to 14 and December 19 to 21. In this fifteenth instalment, expect a total of 560-odd publishers, galleries and artists from Japan and abroad taking part, with each weekend featuring a different line-up of exhibitors.
At TABF, you’ll be able to flip through zines, chat with artists and browse quirky goods made for bibliophiles with an eye for design. The Guest Country programme, which has become a regular element of the book fair, is putting the spotlight on Italian publishers this year, with three exhibitions: YES YES YES: Revolutionary Press in Italy 1966-1977, showcasing underground newspapers and magazines, and Out of the Grid: Italian Zines 1978-2006, highlighting the evolution of zine culture. The programme also includes Marchette, exploring ties between corporations and publishing in Italian design, along with a showcase by Corraini, the publisher behind picture books by Bruno Munari, Enzo Mari and Ettore Sottsass.
Aside from the pop-up booths where publishers, galleries and independent creatives will be showcasing their latest projects, the programme also includes a series of workshops and open-panel discussions to look forward to. General admission is ¥1,200 per person and advance tickets (¥1,000 plus a ¥165 booking fee) will be available online from November 20. Be sure to secure your ticket early, as only a limited number of same-day tickets will be sold at the venue.