> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/nara-yoshitomo-2 · updated 2026-11-02

# Nara Yoshitomo (b. 1959)

## What is Nara Yoshitomo’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 159 auction results for Nara Yoshitomo at 17 houses since 2002. Over the last 24 months the median price was $500 including buyer’s premium (middle half $170–$1,257, n=11). The auction record is $12,809,853 for In the Milky Lake (2023, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | In the Milky Lake, 2012 | Acrylic on canvas | $12,809,853 | Sotheby's | Apr 2023 |
| 2 | Frog Girl, 1998 | Acrylic on canvas | $12,396,661 | Sotheby's | Apr 2021 |
| 3 | FOR CITIZEN, 1998 | Acrylic and coloured pencil on cotton canvas | $11,998,654 | Christie's | May 2016 |
| 4 | Under the Hazy Sky, 2012 | Acrylic on canvas | $8,825,560 | Sotheby's | Oct 2021 |
| 5 | Quiet, Quiet, 1999 | Lacquer on FRP | $7,587,717 | Christie's | Nov 2014 |
| 6 | Ten Stars, 2014 | Acrylic on jute mounted on board | $4,696,193 | Sotheby's | Apr 2021 |
| 7 | Wind, 1999 | Acrylic on canvas | $3,489,290 | Christie's | Nov 2012 |
| 8 | Life is Only One!, 2008 | Acrylic on wood, in artist's original frame | $2,515,151 | Sotheby's | Apr 2021 |
| 9 | Guitar Girl on the Ice, 1994 | Acrylic on canvas | $2,375,956 | Sotheby's | Apr 2024 |
| 10 | Sprout in Hands, 2011 | Acrylic on wood | $2,307,825 | Sotheby's | Apr 2023 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 34 | $576,363 |
| Works on paper | 26 | $88,961 |
| Sculpture | 19 | $22,567 |
| Other | 30 | $19,834 |
| Prints | 18 | $7,576 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 18 | $1,061,906 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 37 | $89,418 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 62 | $33,655 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 159 results from 17 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Nara Yoshitomo is a Japanese artist with 228 auction lots recorded since 2002, median price $45,173. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Nara Yoshitomo sold in 2026 for $99,037, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Nara Yoshitomo work worth?

Across 159 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Nara Yoshitomo work is $45,173.

The median Nara Yoshitomo work on paper sells for $73,156 across 40 lots.

The median Nara Yoshitomo painting sells for $833,837 across 35 lots.

The median Nara Yoshitomo print sells for $3,169 across 35 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Nara Yoshitomo work on papers typically sell for $23,422–$145,150 (the middle half of 33 sold 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 35 | $3,169‡ | $192,614 | — | 2026-07-20 |
| Paintings | 36 | $833,837‡ | $12.8M | 97.2% | 2024-04-06 |
| Works on Paper | 41 | $73,156‡ | $2M | 97.6% | 2026-06-04 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 18 | $25,216‡ | $7.6M | 88.9% | 2026-05-31 |
| Photography | 1 | $4,019 | $4,019 | — | 2012-10-30 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 59 | $472,264‡ | $12.8M | — | 2024-04-06 |

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

Nara Yoshitomo's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (35 lots) median $3,169. Paintings (36 lots) median $833,837, record $12,809,853. A typical Nara Yoshitomo painting sells for around 263× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 59 lots) the median is $472,264.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 15 | $1,117–$7,022‡ | $3,043‡ | $192,614 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 15 | $2,206–$11,279‡ | $5,741‡ | $89,418 |

‡ 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) | 6 | $214,055–$412,473‡ | $230,168‡ | $844,308 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 19 | $198,390–$2.1M | $584,636 | $12.4M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 10 | $1.3M–$4.3M‡ | $2.4M‡ | $12.8M |

‡ 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) | 33 | $23,422–$145,150‡ | $65,156‡ | $2M |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $46,120–$627,084 | $435,449 | $1.5M |

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

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $3,027–$48,383‡ | $4,877‡ | $444,131 |

‡ 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 | 2023 | $12.8M |
| Paintings | 2021 | $12.4M |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2014 | $7.6M |
| Works on Paper | 2015 | $2M |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $1.5M |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2015 | $444,131 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $192,614 |
| Prints & Editions | 2020 | $89,418 |

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 Nara Yoshitomo worth?

Across 159 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Nara Yoshitomo work is $45,173. The median Nara Yoshitomo work on paper sells for $73,156 across 40 lots. The median Nara Yoshitomo painting sells for $833,837 across 35 lots. The median Nara Yoshitomo print sells for $3,169 across 35 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Nara Yoshitomo work on papers typically sell for $23,422–$145,150 (the middle half of 33 sold lots). Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a Nara Yoshitomo work on paper?

Based on 40 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Nara Yoshitomo work on paper is $73,156. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Nara Yoshitomo's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Nara Yoshitomo work on paper is $1,951,290.

### What is the average price of a Nara Yoshitomo painting?

Based on 35 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Nara Yoshitomo painting is $833,837. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Nara Yoshitomo's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Nara Yoshitomo painting is $12,809,853.

### What is the average price of a Nara Yoshitomo print?

Based on 35 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Nara Yoshitomo print is $3,169. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Nara Yoshitomo's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Nara Yoshitomo print is $192,614.

### What is the average price of a small Nara Yoshitomo work on paper?

Based on 33 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Nara Yoshitomo work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $65,156, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a medium Nara Yoshitomo painting?

Based on 19 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Nara Yoshitomo painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $584,636, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Nara Yoshitomo's auction record?

Nara Yoshitomo's auction record is $12,809,853, set in 2023.

---

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

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Nara Yoshitomo auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/nara-yoshitomo-2 (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.