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

# Kuramata Shiro (1934–1991)

## What is Kuramata Shiro’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 309 auction results for Kuramata Shiro at 39 houses since 2003. Over the last 24 months the median price was $8,550 including buyer’s premium (middle half $3,134–$15,873, n=52). The auction record is $811,930 for Kyoto (2026, Artcurial). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyoto, 1983 | Terrazzo, acier chromé | $811,930 | Artcurial | May 2026 |
| 2 | HOMAGE TO JOSEF HOFFMANN, BEGIN THE BEGUINE, 1985 | En bois courbé partiellement brûlé et fils de métal | $495,328 | Christie's | May 2014 |
| 3 | Miss Blanche, 1988 | Aluminum | $462,098 | Sotheby's | Nov 2025 |
| 4 | Miss Blanche, 1988 | Acrylic, artificial flowers, anodised aluminium | $414,648 | Sotheby's | Nov 2015 |
| 5 | Miss Blanche | Acrylic paint | $407,279 | Phillips | Apr 2015 |
| 6 | Miss Blanche | Acrylic, synthetic roses, anodised tubular aluminum | $384,500 | Sotheby's | Dec 2016 |
| 7 | Miss Blanche, 1988 | Acrylic, artificial roses, anodized aluminum pipe | $355,600 | Sotheby's | Dec 2023 |
| 8 | Miss Blanche, 1991 | Acrylic resin, synthetic roses, anodised aluminium | $309,651 | Phillips | Jun 2020 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miss Blanche, 1988-1991 | Acrylic resin, synthetic roses, anodized aluminum | $516,600 | Phillips | Jun 2022 |
| 2 | Miss Blanche, 1988 | Acrylic, artificial roses, anodized aluminum pipe | $408,000 | Sotheby's | Dec 2024 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 242 | $10,768 |
| Sculpture | 5 | $7,788 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 70 | $13,803 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 130 | $11,931 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 12 | $3,541 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 309 results from 39 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Kuramata Shiro is a Japanese artist with 427 auction lots recorded since 2003, median price $8,542. 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 Kuramata Shiro sold in 2026 for $12,691, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**4 Kuramata Shiro works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Kuramata Shiro on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/shiro-kuramata-2?ref=kg:shiro-kuramata-2) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Kuramata Shiro work worth?

Across 304 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Kuramata Shiro work is $8,542.

The median Kuramata Shiro sculpture sells for $19,535 across 66 lots.

The median Kuramata Shiro photograph sells for $41,067 across 5 lots.

The median Kuramata Shiro painting sells for $3,312 across 4 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Kuramata Shiro sculptures typically sell for $8,750–$67,417 (the middle half of 45 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 | 1 | $8,139 | $8,139 | — | 2025-02-05 |
| Paintings | 4 | $3,312 | $4,096 | — | 2026-07-02 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 71 | $19,535‡ | $516,600 | 93% | 2026-07-02 |
| Photography | 7 | $41,067 | $88,200 | 71.4% | 2023-10-31 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 27 | $222,370 | $811,930 | — | 2026-05-21 |

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

Kuramata Shiro's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (1 lots) median $8,139. Paintings (4 lots) median $3,312, record $4,096. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 27 lots) the median is $222,370.

## Price by size

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 45 | $8,750–$67,417‡ | $20,320‡ | $516,600 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 16 | $12,643–$67,082 | $28,950 | $222,370 |

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

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $38,770–$52,500 | $41,067 | $88,200 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2022 | $516,600 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2025 | $462,098 |
| Photography | 2021 | $88,200 |
| Photography | 2015 | $52,500 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $8,139 |
| Paintings | 2019 | $4,096 |
| Paintings | 2024 | $3,639 |

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 Kuramata Shiro worth?

Across 304 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Kuramata Shiro work is $8,542. The median Kuramata Shiro sculpture sells for $19,535 across 66 lots. The median Kuramata Shiro photograph sells for $41,067 across 5 lots. The median Kuramata Shiro painting sells for $3,312 across 4 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Kuramata Shiro sculptures typically sell for $8,750–$67,417 (the middle half of 45 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 Kuramata Shiro sculpture?

Based on 66 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Kuramata Shiro sculpture is $19,535. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Kuramata Shiro's most expensive sculpture?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Kuramata Shiro sculpture is $516,600.

### What is the average price of a medium Kuramata Shiro sculpture?

Based on 45 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Kuramata Shiro sculpture (medium (50–120 cm)) is $20,320, 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 large Kuramata Shiro sculpture?

Based on 16 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Kuramata Shiro sculpture (large (over 120 cm)) is $28,950, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Kuramata Shiro's auction record?

Kuramata Shiro's auction record is $811,930, set in 2026.

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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, “Kuramata Shiro auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/shiro-kuramata-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.