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Italian photographer Nicola Tanzini’s new book and works are about the historical fish market in Tokyo- Tsukjii (Tsukiji Shijo in Japanese). It is the biggest fish market in the world, which has been in the same place since 1935 in the Tokyo downtown area of the same name, and the subject matter of Nicola Tanzini’s new exhibition and book. It has also just relocated today after 17 years of planning and delays. The new market at Toys replaces the 83 year old market which had become famous for its early morning tuna auctions.

Regarded as a sacred place by Japanese restaurateurs, Tsukiji has become increasingly famous to the point of becoming one of Japan’s most visited attractions by international tourists. Most fishmongers opposed to the relocation of Toyosu owing to its 2 year delay in opening after toxic substances were found of the ground. Tsukuji at the time of putting together the book and exhibition was at risk of losing its identity due to a previously announced,and increasingly likelyhood of it being forced to change its location in view of the Olympics that will take place in 2020.

A debate that has generated ever-growing attention towards one of Tokyo’s major institutions, to the point of becoming the protagonist of Tsukiji Wonderland, a documentary by director Naotaro Endo, shows through original footage and exclusive interviews with local staff and , award winning chefs and anthropologists the market’s unique story, one of chaos and also perfect organization.

Tokyo Tsukiji, the exhibition, is the result of Nicola Tanzini’s work over the last two years: the photographer dedicated his time to document one of the most traditional places in Tokyo. The pictures of the book published by Contrasto are focused on the internal area of the market (jonai shijo), which became famous for its tuna auctions and and the massive attendance of wholesalers and restaurateurs. Tanzini wanted to capture a specific moment in the working day of the market: it is at the end of the morning, when that place of crossroads, chaos and excitement is slowly moving toward the quiet and tranquil place. The fish that were not sold, the worker’s tiredness and the rest after a working day are the main subjects of this story, that gives us “an unprecedented visual record of the biggest fish market in the world”. The work by Tanzini is the photographic documentary of the authenticity of the human work.