> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ito-shinsui · updated 2026-11-02

# Ito Shinsui (1898–1972)

## What is Ito Shinsui’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 122 auction results for Ito Shinsui at 18 houses since 2002. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,200 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,290–$3,400, n=23). The auction record is $60,000 for Yujo (Courtesan) (2021, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yujo (Courtesan), 1898 | Woodblock print | $60,000 | Christie's | Mar 2021 |
| 2 | Tessenka (Asian Virginsbower), 1898 | Painting | $25,200 | Christie's | Mar 2024 |
| 3 | Make-up (Kesho), 1898 | Woodblock print | $23,964 | Christie's | Nov 2018 |
| 4 | Haru (Spring), 1898 | Woodblock print | $22,500 | Christie's | May 2006 |
| 5 | Tempête de neige (Fubuki), jeune femme sous une ombrelle sous la neige, 1898 | Signé Shinsui et cachet de l'artiste | $14,459 | Artcurial | May 2018 |
| 6 | Hair (Kami) | Woodblock print, embellished with mica | $11,602 | Christie's | Jul 2018 |
| 7 | Hair (Kami), 1898 | Woodblock print, embellished with mica | $11,557 | Christie's | Jul 2018 |
| 8 | Rouge (Kuchibeni), 1898 | Woodblock print | $10,018 | Christie's | May 2004 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fubuki (Snowstorm), 1898 | Woodcuts | $15,000 | Christie's | Mar 2021 |
| 2 | Kami (Hair), 1898 | Woodcuts | $10,080 | Christie's | Mar 2022 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Prints | 18 | $3,475 |
| Other | 62 | $3,136 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 11 | $7,560 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 67 | $2,700 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 122 results from 18 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Ito Shinsui is a Japanese artist with 181 auction lots recorded since 2002, median price $2,550. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Ito Shinsui sold in 2026 for $3,072, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Ito Shinsui work worth?

Across 122 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ito Shinsui work is $2,550.

The median Ito Shinsui print sells for $2,625 across 103 lots.

The median Ito Shinsui work on paper sells for $2,165 across 5 lots.

The median Ito Shinsui painting sells for $22,985 across 3 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Ito Shinsui prints typically sell for $1,897–$5,432 (the middle half of 72 sold lots).

Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 117 | $2,625†‡ | $60,000 | 88% | 2026-04-30 |
| Paintings | 3 | $22,985‡ | $25,200 | — | 2025-03-18 |
| Works on Paper | 7 | $2,165‡ | $37,302‡ | 71.4% | 2026-05-30 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 6 | $24,582‡ | $60,000 | — | 2024-03-19 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Ito Shinsui's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (117 lots) median $2,625 with 88% sell-through. Paintings (3 lots) median $22,985, record $25,200. A typical Ito Shinsui painting sells for around 8.8× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 6 lots) the median is $24,582.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 72 | $1,897–$5,432†‡ | $2,550†‡ | $60,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 11 | $1,762–$7,908‡ | $5,000‡ | $11,557 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $60,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $37,302‡ |
| Paintings | 2024 | $25,200 |
| Prints & Editions | 2018 | $23,964 |
| Paintings | 2017 | $22,985‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $2,550 |

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

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 Ito Shinsui worth?

Across 122 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ito Shinsui work is $2,550. The median Ito Shinsui print sells for $2,625 across 103 lots. The median Ito Shinsui work on paper sells for $2,165 across 5 lots. The median Ito Shinsui painting sells for $22,985 across 3 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Ito Shinsui prints typically sell for $1,897–$5,432 (the middle half of 72 sold lots). Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is the average price of a Ito Shinsui print?

Based on 103 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ito Shinsui print is $2,625. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is Ito Shinsui's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ito Shinsui print is $60,000.

### What is the average price of a small Ito Shinsui print?

Based on 72 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ito Shinsui print (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,550, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.

### What is the average price of a medium Ito Shinsui print?

Based on 11 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Ito Shinsui print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $5,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Ito Shinsui's auction record?

Ito Shinsui's auction record is $60,000, set in 2021.

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Data last updated 2026-11-02. OpeningBid tracks 15,390,829 auction lots from 577 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Ito Shinsui auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ito-shinsui (updated 2026-11-02).

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.