> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/inoue-yu-ichi · updated 2026-11-03

# Inoue Yuichi (1916–1985)

## What is Inoue Yuichi’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 24 auction results for Inoue Yuichi at 8 houses since 2015. Over the last 24 months the median price was $46,215 including buyer’s premium (middle half $42,147–$50,064, n=6). The auction record is $731,625 for Tsuki (Moon) (2016, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

**Top auction records: paintings, drawings & sculpture**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tsuki (Moon) | Ink on Japanese paper | $731,625 | Christie's | May 2016 |
| 2 | Idaku (To embrace) | Ink on paper | $656,684 | Christie's | Nov 2015 |
| 3 | YUICHI INOUE (JAPANESE, 1916–1985), 1961 | Paste ink on Japanese paper | $562,872 | Christie's | Nov 2015 |
| 4 | Hin (Poverty), 1954 | Oil painting | $177,382 | Sotheby's | Nov 2019 |
| 5 | HANA - FLOWER 花, 1967 | Ink on paper laid on hanging scroll | $129,022 | Sotheby's | Jul 2020 |
| 6 | Ryu - Dragon 龍, 1960 | Ink on paper laid on hanging scroll | $100,633 | Sotheby's | Apr 2021 |
| 7 | shoku (to belong to...), 1976/3/10 | India ink on paper laid down on paper | $67,281 | Kunsthaus Lempertz | Jun 2016 |
| 8 | Under the flowers and on the grass, 1969 | Ink on paper | $53,574 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jun 2025 |
| 9 | 鸟 bird | Ink on paper | $50,921 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Jul 2026 |
| 10 | 乃 NO, 1970 | Ink on paper | $47,492 | Beijing Poly International Auction (北京保利国际拍卖) | Dec 2024 |


**Median price by medium (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 10 | $83,957 |

**Median price by size (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 10 | $83,957 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 24 results from 8 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Inoue Yuichi is a Japanese artist with 26 auction lots recorded since 2015, median price $50,877. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Inoue Yuichi sold in 2026 for $50,921, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Inoue Yuichi work worth?

Across 24 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Inoue Yuichi work is $50,877.

The median Inoue Yuichi work on paper sells for $60,586 across 13 lots.

The median Inoue Yuichi painting sells for $41,217 across 3 lots.

Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 3 | $41,217‡ | $177,382 | — | 2026-05-12 |
| Works on Paper | 14 | $60,586‡ | $731,625 | 92.9% | 2026-07-17 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 6 | $370,127 | $731,625 | — | 2021-04-20 |

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

## Price by size

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| large (over 120 cm) | 11 | $52,248–$345,947‡ | $67,281‡ | $731,625 |

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2016 | $731,625 |
| Works on Paper | 2015 | $656,684 |
| Paintings | 2019 | $177,382 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $41,217 |

The highest recorded result in each medium. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a Inoue Yuichi worth?

Across 24 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Inoue Yuichi work is $50,877. The median Inoue Yuichi work on paper sells for $60,586 across 13 lots. The median Inoue Yuichi painting sells for $41,217 across 3 lots. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a Inoue Yuichi work on paper?

Based on 13 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Inoue Yuichi work on paper is $60,586. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Inoue Yuichi's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Inoue Yuichi work on paper is $731,625.

### What is the average price of a large Inoue Yuichi work on paper?

Based on 11 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Inoue Yuichi work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $67,281, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Inoue Yuichi's auction record?

Inoue Yuichi's auction record is $731,625, set in 2016.

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Inoue Yuichi auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/inoue-yu-ichi (updated 2026-11-03).

Historical auction data, not investment advice. Prices are premium-inclusive USD where the buyer's premium is recorded. Figures marked † are hammer prices (buyer's premium not included); ‡ marks a price whose basis is not yet verified. Non-USD results are converted at the sale month's rate.