Abstract: A ribbon feed device includes; a drive gear capable of rotating about a first shaft in clockwise and counter-clockwise directions by a rotation force transmitted from a drive source; a ribbon feed gear for feeding an ink ribbon capable of rotating about a second shaft; and an intermediate gear which swings about the first shaft while meshing with the drive gear, meshes with the ribbon feed gear at a first position during the rotation of the drive gear in the clockwise direction, meshes with the ribbon feed gear at a second position during the rotation of the drive gear in the counter-clockwise direction, and renders the ribbon feed gear rotate always in the same direction irrespective of the rotation direction of the drive gear.