JAPAN EVENTS PROGRAM
Bologna Children’s Book Fair
from Sunday March 30th to Friday April 4th
MARCH 30th, Sunday
17:00 – 18:30 Teatro Testoni
KATSUMI KOMAGATA WORKSHOP: EXTEND
Organized by: La Baracca Testoni Ragazzi, ONE STROKE
Participants: children 6 – 10 yrs of age
Instructor: Ai Komagata, ONE STROKE
Abstract:
Ai Komagata will conduct one of Katsumi Komagata’s most famous workshops, Extend, that narrates the transformation of shapes that tell a story.
MARCH 31th, Monday
10:00 – 11:00 BCBF Japan Foundation/JBBY Hall 29 C 15
BOLOGNA JAPAN FOUNDATION/ JBBY PORTFOLIO AWARD JURY MEETING (not open to public)
14:00 – 15:00 BCBF Japan Foundation/JBBY Hall 29 C 15
PORTFOLIO REVIEW by Yukiko Iizuka, foreign rights manager and Editor at Sekaibunka-sha Group
14-14.45 kira kira edizioni / Hall 26 B 57
SIGNING SESSION with Japanese illustrator eto, author of La notte del Puff Puff, kira kira edizioni.
15:00 – 16:00 BCBF Japan Foundation/JBBY Hall 29 C 15
PORTFOLIO REVIEW by Makoto Kimura, editor at Gakken
16.30-17.20 BCBF Content Cafè Hall 30
A FUN SDGs GAME PROJECT AND A SELECTION OF JAPANESE SDG PICTURE BOOKS FROM PICTURE BOOK CITY ITABASHI
Organized by:
Itabashi Art Museum and the city of Itabashi, Tokyo
Speakers:
Kiyoko Matsuoka, Itabashi Art Museum, director
Masahiro Kakinokihara, art director
Ayami Moriizumi, researcher
Abstract:
Itabashi Art Museum director Kiyoko Matsuoka and art director Masahiro Kakinohara will present the SDGs SUGOROKU, an educational game created in collaboration with an artist from Itabashi, Picture Book City. To follow, a presentation of Japanese SDG picture books selected by the city of Itabashi.
APRIL 1st, Tuesday
10.30-11.20 BCBF The Next Chapter Café Hall 29
WHERE HAPPINESS IS: CRITIC YUKIKO HIROMATSU SHARES SOME SECRETS ABOUT BABY BOOKS IN JAPAN
Organized by: Japan Foundation/ JBBY
Panelist:
Yukiko Hiromatsu, picture book writer, critic, and independent curator
Abstract：
Japan is one of the picture book kingdoms where books for babies reign. Every year more than 200 – 300 new titles are published. We will follow the history of baby books in Japan starting from the million sellers published in the 60s up to some of the recent experimental titles, and analyze their unique representations that continue to fascinate both babies and adults.
11:30- 12:20 BCBF The Next Chapter Cafè Hall 29
MUSEUMS THAT CELEBRATE THE ART OF THE PICTURE BOOK
Organized by: BCBF
Speakers:
Olivia Ahmad, artistic director of the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, UK
Kiyoko Matsuoka, director, Itabashi Art Museum, Japan
Moderator:
Leonard Marcus, founding trustee, The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, USA.
Abstract: In this wide-ranging conversation, museum professions from three continents will offer an inside look at three innovative museums – the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, the Itabashi Art Museum, and the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration – where children’s book art takes center stage.
12-12.45 kira kira edizioni / Hall 26 B 57
SIGNING SESSION with Japanese illustrator eto, author of La notte del Puff Puff, kira kira edizioni.
12:00 – 13:00 BCBF Japan Foundation/JBBY Hall 29 C 15
PORTFOLIO REVIEW by Masahiro Kakinokihara, art director
14:00 – 15:00 BCBF Japan Foundation/JBBY Hall 29 C 15
A Guided Tour through Japanese Picture Books, by Yukiko Hiromatsu and Masahiro Kakinokihara
17:00 BCBF Japan Foundation/JBBY Hall 29 C15
OPENING RECEPTION and ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE BOLOGNA Japan Foundation/JBBY PORTFOLIO AWARD WINNER
After a presentation of this year’s special selection of Japanese children’s books, the 2025 Hans Christian Andersen Award candidates and the Japanese winners of the 2025 Illustrators Exhibition, Elena Pasoli, BCBF director, will announce the BOLOGNA JF/JBBY PORTFOLIO AWARD Winner.
18.30 BAAK Bistro Bookshop Via Polese 7/2a
VERNISSAGE: È LA NOTTE DEL PUFF PUFF BY ETO:
EXHIBITION OF ORIGINAL ILLUSTRATIONS
Kira Kira Edizioni, specialized in picture books from and on Japan, will present one of their latest titles created by Japanese illustrator, eto.
APRIL 2nd, Wednesday
10.00 – 10.50 BCBF Caffè illustratori
KATSUMI KOMAGATA’S LITTLE BOOK DESIGN: RETROSPECTIVE AND PROSPECTIVES
Organized by: Itabashi Art Museum, ONE STROKE
Speakers：
Kiyoko Matsuoka, Itabashi Art Museum, Director
Steven Guarnaccia, illustrator
Ai Komagata, ONE STROKE
Francesco Saviola, Mutty
Antonella Dalla Rosa, La Baracca Testoni Ragazzi, theater producer
Moderator: Ayami Moriizumi, researcher
Katsumi Komagata (1953 – 2024) is known to be the Bruno Munari of the Orient. Starting with the “Little Eyes” series designed for his daughter Ai, he has revolutionized the concept of picture books for babies and toddlers. This special panel will present the making of Katsumi Komagata and analyze some of his major works and his activities in Italy while giving important projections into the future.
12:00－12:30 BCBF Japan Foundation/JBBY Hall 29 C 15
KAMISHIBAI
Organized by: Japan Foundation
Etsuko Nozaka, translator and founding member of the International Kamishibai Association of Japan (IKAJA) wlll perform three kamishibais:
“Everybody, Clap!” written and illustrated by the artist Noriko Matsui）
“Father” (text by Junichi Yoda/Illustration by Seiichi Tabata)
“Duck the King” (text by Seishi Horio/illustration by Seizo Tashima
13-13.50 / International Bookshop, Gallery Hall 25-26
SIGNING SESSION with Japanese illustrator eto, author of La notte del Puff Puff, kira kira edizioni.
14.30-15.20 BCBF Hall 29 The Next Chapter Café
“WINDS FROM THE EAST”: A SELECTION OF PICTURE BOOKS FROM SOUTHEAST-ASIA
Organized by: The Japan Foundation
Speakers:
Kuerkamol Niyom (Thailand), Saan Aksorn Publishing
Wing Yan (Malaysia), Odonata Publishing
Le Thanh Thuy (Vietnam), Crabit Kidbooks
Laura Peh (Singapore), Cinnamon Art Publishing
Yukiko Hiromatsu (Japan), picture book writer, critic, and independent curator
Moderator: Aya Tamura, Japan Foundation
Abstract:
How much do we really know about picture books from Southeast Asia? While Japan has access to many picture books from Western countries, as well as from East Asian countries, Southeast Asian picture books have remained relatively unknown. However, in recent years, fresh and inspiring works submitted to international illustration competitions and the dynamic presence of Southeast Asian publishers at book fairs have caught our attention.
The Japan Foundation, in cooperation with JBBY, will hold a panel discussion with children’s book publishers from Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand. Representatives of each publisher will present the status of picture books in their own country and highlight the unique characteristics of their own press. They will also introduce standout books from their country to one another.
Let’s explore, connect with each other, and discover new forms of expression in picture books!
16.15 – 17.00 BCBF Survival Corner Hall 30
HOW TO PRESENT YOURSELF TO THE JAPANESE BOOK MARKET
Organized by: Japan Foundation/JBBY
Speaker:
Naoko Takano, editor and international publishing coordinator at aima inc.
Abstract:
How do I get a picture book published in Japan? How should I take the portfolio to Japanese publishers? I will talk about trends and strategies from an editor’s perspective.
APRIL 3rd, Thursday
12:30 – 15:00 BCBF TranslatorsCafé Hall 30
JAPANESE PICTURE BOOK TRANSLATION WORKSHOP 2025: BABY BOOKS,
FOR TRANSLATORS, EDITORS & JAPAN LOVERS
Organized by: Japan Foundation/JBBY
Speakers:
Maria Elena Tisi, Universita’ degli studi di Bologna
Ayami Moriizumi, researcher
Sinopsis:
This third edition of the experimental Ehon Honyaku Dōjō will focus on picture books for younger children, filled with onomatopoeia. Translators, illustrators and editors are invited to join us to find interesting solutions for translations in Italian.
APRIL 4th, Friday
10 – 12 SalaborsaRagazzi
LA NOTTE DEL PUFF PUFF. The mysterious world of mushroom!
Lecture and workshop for children by Japanese illustrato eto. (not open to general public)
