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

# Shibata Zeshin (1807–1891)

Shibata Zeshin is a Japanese artist with 81 auction lots recorded since 1990, median price $2,530. 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 Shibata Zeshin sold in 2026 for $2,540, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Shibata Zeshin work worth?

Across 59 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Shibata Zeshin work is $2,530.

The median Shibata Zeshin print sells for $892 across 13 lots.

The median Shibata Zeshin painting sells for $4,399 across 8 lots.

The median Shibata Zeshin work on paper sells for $2,100 across 7 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 | 18 | $892‡ | $7,492 | 72.2% | 2024-10-19 |
| Paintings | 14 | $4,399‡ | $67,357 | 57.1% | 2026-05-20 |
| Works on Paper | 7 | $2,100 | $26,436 | — | 2026-03-25 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 4 | $4,500‡ | $4,565‡ | 75% | 2018-05-12 |
| Photography | 1 | $4,814 | $4,814 | — | 2009-10-07 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $112,260 | $169,495 | — | 2026-03-25 |

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

Shibata Zeshin's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (18 lots) median $892 with 72.2% sell-through. Paintings (14 lots) median $4,399, record $67,357. A typical Shibata Zeshin painting sells for around 4.9× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 3 lots) the median is $112,260.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 10 | $714–$1,695‡ | $835‡ | $7,492 |

‡ 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) | 5 | $1,265–$7,040 | $6,400 | $67,357 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2016 | $67,357 |
| Paintings | 2022 | $34,192 |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $26,436 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $7,492 |
| Works on Paper | 2008 | $7,282 |
| Prints & Editions | 2016 | $6,106‡ |
| Photography | 2009 | $4,814 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2017 | $4,565‡ |

‡ 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 Shibata Zeshin worth?

Across 59 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Shibata Zeshin work is $2,530. The median Shibata Zeshin print sells for $892 across 13 lots. The median Shibata Zeshin painting sells for $4,399 across 8 lots. The median Shibata Zeshin work on paper sells for $2,100 across 7 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 Shibata Zeshin print?

Based on 13 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Shibata Zeshin print is $892. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Shibata Zeshin's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Shibata Zeshin print is $7,492.

### What is the average price of a Shibata Zeshin painting?

Based on 8 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Shibata Zeshin painting is $4,399. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Shibata Zeshin's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Shibata Zeshin painting is $67,357.

### What is the average price of a small Shibata Zeshin print?

Based on 10 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Shibata Zeshin print (small (under 50 cm)) is $835, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Shibata Zeshin's auction record?

Shibata Zeshin's auction record is $169,495, set in 2022.

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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, “Shibata Zeshin auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/shibata-zeshin (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.