> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/kazuo-shiraga · updated 2026-11-03

# Kazuo Shiraga (1924–2008)

## What is Kazuo Shiraga’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 476 auction results for Kazuo Shiraga at 27 houses since 2004. Over the last 24 months the median price was $453,371 including buyer’s premium (middle half $67,687–$1,037,363, n=20). The auction record is $11,795,000 for Outo Shoukou (2025, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Outo Shoukou, 1966 | Oil paint | $11,795,000 | Christie's | Apr 2025 |
| 2 | Takao, 1950 | Oil on canvas | $10,272,489 | Sotheby's | Jun 2018 |
| 3 | Gekidou suru aka | Huile sur toile | $5,322,026 | Sotheby's | Jun 2014 |
| 4 | Hoshōkai (Lop Nur), 1988 | Oil paint | $5,132,000 | Christie's | May 2023 |
| 5 | BB56, 1961 | Oil paint | $4,869,000 | Christie's | Nov 2014 |
| 6 | Keishizoku, 1961 | Oil paint | $3,973,000 | Phillips | Nov 2013 |
| 7 | Chiken-sei kendoshin, 1961 | Oil paint | $3,510,000 | Christie's | Nov 2021 |
| 8 | Chinzei Hachirotametomo, 1962 | Oil paint | $3,120,962 | Christie's | Oct 2019 |
| 9 | Kaien, 1999 | Oil paint | $3,047,869 | Christie's | Nov 2014 |
| 10 | Chimeisei Tettekisen, 1961 | Oil on canvas | $2,964,974 | Sotheby's | Dec 2020 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 143 | $416,993 |
| Other | 14 | $212,846 |
| Works on paper | 24 | $18,842 |
| Prints | 9 | $1,625 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 57 | $1,473,963 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 65 | $311,515 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 48 | $41,953 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 476 results from 27 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Kazuo Shiraga is a Japanese artist with 590 auction lots recorded since 2004, median price $15,290. 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 Kazuo Shiraga sold in 2026 for $138,664, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Kazuo Shiraga work worth?

Across 476 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Kazuo Shiraga work is $15,290.

The median Kazuo Shiraga painting sells for $208,342 across 214 lots.

The median Kazuo Shiraga work on paper sells for $7,106 across 119 lots.

The median Kazuo Shiraga print sells for $1,907 across 111 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Kazuo Shiraga prints typically sell for $1,139–$3,389 (the middle half of 85 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Kazuo Shiraga work on papers typically sell for $3,044–$14,100 (the middle half of 74 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 | 131 | $1,907†‡ | $26,364‡ | 84.7% | 2026-05-20 |
| Paintings | 233 | $208,342†‡ | $11.8M | 91.8% | 2026-09-30 |
| Works on Paper | 156 | $7,106‡ | $268,776‡ | 76.3% | 2026-09-23 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2 | $2.2M | $2.2M | 50% | 2016-02-11 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 140 | $675,135‡ | $11.8M | — | 2026-09-30 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Kazuo Shiraga's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (131 lots) median $1,907 with 84.7% sell-through. Paintings (233 lots) median $208,342, record $11,795,000. A typical Kazuo Shiraga painting sells for around 109× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 140 lots) the median is $675,135.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $842–$1,976‡ | $1,488‡ | $3,474‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 85 | $1,139–$3,389†‡ | $1,907†‡ | $26,364‡ |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 61 | $21,193–$88,849†‡ | $43,073†‡ | $433,390 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 64 | $171,857–$738,334†‡ | $357,634†‡ | $1.8M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 57 | $1M–$2.4M‡ | $1.5M‡ | $11.8M |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 74 | $3,044–$14,100‡ | $6,834‡ | $82,265‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 20 | $8,357–$36,640‡ | $14,299‡ | $154,852‡ |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2025 | $11.8M |
| Paintings | 2018 | $10.3M |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2016 | $2.2M |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $268,776‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2015 | $154,852‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2015 | $26,364‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2015 | $24,953‡ |

‡ 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 Kazuo Shiraga worth?

Across 476 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Kazuo Shiraga work is $15,290. The median Kazuo Shiraga painting sells for $208,342 across 214 lots. The median Kazuo Shiraga work on paper sells for $7,106 across 119 lots. The median Kazuo Shiraga print sells for $1,907 across 111 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Kazuo Shiraga prints typically sell for $1,139–$3,389 (the middle half of 85 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Kazuo Shiraga work on papers typically sell for $3,044–$14,100 (the middle half of 74 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 Kazuo Shiraga painting?

Based on 214 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Kazuo Shiraga painting is $208,342. 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 Kazuo Shiraga's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Kazuo Shiraga painting is $11,795,000.

### What is the average price of a Kazuo Shiraga work on paper?

Based on 119 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Kazuo Shiraga work on paper is $7,106. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Kazuo Shiraga's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Kazuo Shiraga work on paper is $268,776. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a Kazuo Shiraga print?

Based on 111 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Kazuo Shiraga print is $1,907. 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 Kazuo Shiraga's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Kazuo Shiraga print is $26,364. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a medium Kazuo Shiraga print?

Based on 85 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Kazuo Shiraga print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,907, 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 small Kazuo Shiraga work on paper?

Based on 74 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Kazuo Shiraga work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $6,834, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Kazuo Shiraga's auction record?

Kazuo Shiraga's auction record is $11,795,000, set in 2025.

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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, “Kazuo Shiraga auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/kazuo-shiraga (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.