> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/kuniyoshi-utagawa-2 · updated 2026-11-03

# Kuniyoshi Utagawa (1797–1861)

## What is Kuniyoshi Utagawa’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 301 auction results for Kuniyoshi Utagawa at 58 houses since 2000. Over the last 24 months the median price was $567 including buyer’s premium (middle half $97–$4,119, n=18). The auction record is $258,010 for Mitsukuni defying the skeleton spectre conjured up by Princess Takiyasha (Souma no Furudairi Yokai ga Shadokuro to Tatakau Oya Notarou Mitsukuni) (2019, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mitsukuni defying the skeleton spectre conjured up by Princess Takiyasha (Souma no Furudairi Yokai ga Shadokuro to Tatakau Oya Notarou Mitsukuni), 19th century | Print | $258,010 | Sotheby's | Nov 2019 |
| 2 | Mitsukuni defying the skeleton spectre conjured up by Princess Takiyasha (Souma no furudairi yokai ga shadokuro to tatakau oya notarou Mitsukuni), 19th century | Print | $141,917 | Sotheby's | Dec 2021 |
| 3 | Sono mama jiguchi myokaiko gojusanbiki [Cats Suggested by the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido] | Oban tate-e triptych | $81,859 | Christie's | Nov 2007 |
| 4 | Oniwakamaru and the Giant Carp, circa 1845 | Woodblock print triptych | $50,946 | Christie's | Mar 2026 |
| 5 | THE GHOSTS OF THE TAIRA ATTACK YOSHITSUNE IN DAIMOTSU BAY, 19th century | Print | $47,978 | Sotheby's | Dec 2020 |
| 6 | Sanuki no in kenzoku o shite Tametomo o sukuu zu (Picture of Retired Emperor Sanuki sending allies [tengu] to rescue Tametomo) | Woodblock print triptych | $47,550 | Christie's | Mar 2026 |
| 7 | Stories of the True Loyalty of the Faithful Samurai (Seichu gishi den), 19th century | Woodblock prints | $42,812 | Sotheby's | May 2021 |
| 8 | Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) | Three woodblock prints | Edo period, 19th century, 19th century | Woodblock prints | $40,071 | Sotheby's | Dec 2021 |
| 9 | The Ghosts of the Taira Attack Yoshitsune in Daimotsu Bay, 19th century | Print | $38,809 | Sotheby's | Dec 2023 |
| 10 | The Former Emperor [Sutoku] from Sanuki Sends His Retainers to Rescue Tametomo (Sanuki no in kenzoku o shite Tametomo o sukuu zu), 19th century | Print | $36,732 | Sotheby's | Dec 2021 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 182 | $2,812 |
| Prints | 13 | $208 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 9 | $1,543 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 64 | $971 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 301 results from 58 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Kuniyoshi Utagawa is a Japanese artist with 382 auction lots recorded since 1999, median price $1,561. 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 Kuniyoshi Utagawa sold in 2026 for $3,200, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Kuniyoshi Utagawa work worth?

Across 269 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Kuniyoshi Utagawa work is $1,561.

The median Kuniyoshi Utagawa print sells for $1,070 across 239 lots.

The median Kuniyoshi Utagawa work on paper sells for $3,256 across 4 lots.

The median Kuniyoshi Utagawa painting sells for $544 across 2 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Kuniyoshi Utagawa prints typically sell for $117–$1,529 (the middle half of 113 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 | 271 | $1,070†‡ | $258,010 | 88.2% | 2026-10-17 |
| Paintings | 2 | $544 | $984 | — | 2026-01-28 |
| Works on Paper | 4 | $3,256† | $5,825 | — | 2024-12-05 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 15 | $40,071 | $258,010 | — | 2026-03-24 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Kuniyoshi Utagawa's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (271 lots) median $1,070 with 88.2% sell-through. Paintings (2 lots) median $544, record $984. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 15 lots) the median is $40,071.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 113 | $117–$1,529†‡ | $472†‡ | $258,010 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 15 | $119–$1,082†‡ | $271†‡ | $2,367 |

† 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 | 2019 | $258,010 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $141,917 |
| Works on Paper | 2008 | $5,825 |
| Works on Paper | 2007 | $5,787 |
| Paintings | 2023 | $984 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $105 |

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 Kuniyoshi Utagawa worth?

Across 269 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Kuniyoshi Utagawa work is $1,561. The median Kuniyoshi Utagawa print sells for $1,070 across 239 lots. The median Kuniyoshi Utagawa work on paper sells for $3,256 across 4 lots. The median Kuniyoshi Utagawa painting sells for $544 across 2 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Kuniyoshi Utagawa prints typically sell for $117–$1,529 (the middle half of 113 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 Kuniyoshi Utagawa print?

Based on 239 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Kuniyoshi Utagawa print is $1,070. 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 Kuniyoshi Utagawa's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Kuniyoshi Utagawa print is $258,010.

### What is the average price of a small Kuniyoshi Utagawa print?

Based on 113 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Kuniyoshi Utagawa print (small (under 50 cm)) is $472, 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 Kuniyoshi Utagawa print?

Based on 15 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Kuniyoshi Utagawa print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $271, 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 Kuniyoshi Utagawa's auction record?

Kuniyoshi Utagawa's auction record is $258,010, set in 2019.

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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, “Kuniyoshi Utagawa auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/kuniyoshi-utagawa-2 (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.