> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/shiryu-morita · updated 2026-11-02

# Shiryu Morita (1912–2012)

## What is Shiryu Morita’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 27 auction results for Shiryu Morita at 6 houses since 2002. Over the last 24 months the median price was $74,794 including buyer’s premium (middle half $74,794–$77,910, n=5). The auction record is $163,645 for Dragon Knows Dragon (「龍知龍」Ryu wa ryu o shiru) (2021, Bonhams). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dragon Knows Dragon (「龍知龍」Ryu wa ryu o shiru), 1989 | Aluminium | $163,645 | Bonhams | Oct 2021 |
| 2 | Choo (Conspicuousness), 1969 | Paper | $137,500 | Christie's | Sep 2020 |
| 3 | Ekoh (Illumination), 1966 | Aluminum | $121,933 | Sotheby's | Oct 2021 |
| 4 | Dragon, 1912 | Aluminium flake pigment in polyvinyl acetate medium, yellow alkyd varnish on paper | $112,500 | Christie's | Nov 2002 |
| 5 | Large calligraphy panel with the Chinese character „ki“ (Tree) in cursive script, 1989 | Aluminum paste on layers of black paper, coated with transparent lacquer | $105,122 | Kunsthaus Lempertz | Jun 2020 |
| 6 | Dragon, 1996 | Paper | $100,800 | Christie's | Mar 2024 |
| 7 | Dragon, 1964 | 漆黑及鋁粉膠水紙本 (black lacquer and aluminum powder with glue on paper) | $97,071 | Sotheby's | Apr 2023 |
| 8 | A calligraphy displaying the character "chû" (rise high in the sky) | Thick, pitch-black ink on rough paper. Mounted | $94,640 | Kunsthaus Lempertz | Dec 2017 |
| 9 | Morita Shiryu (1912-1998) | En | Showa period, 20th century, Showa period | Aluminum flake pigment in polyvinyl acetate medium, yellow alkyd varnish on canvas; the reverse with artist's certificate titled [Circle], signed | $93,492 | Sotheby's | Nov 2024 |
| 10 | Fuku, Showa period | Aluminium flake pigment in polyvinyl acetate medium, lacquered softwood frame, patinated silver fittings | $77,910 | Sotheby's | Nov 2024 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 5 | $77,910 |
| Works on paper | 14 | $32,163 |
| Paintings | 7 | $20,000 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 12 | $86,275 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 10 | $24,394 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 27 results from 6 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Shiryu Morita is a Japanese artist with 32 auction lots recorded since 2002, median price $72,526. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Shiryu Morita sold in 2024 for $93,492, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Shiryu Morita work worth?

Across 27 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Shiryu Morita work is $72,526.

The median Shiryu Morita work on paper sells for $18,315 across 12 lots.

The median Shiryu Morita sculpture sells for $77,910 across 5 lots.

The median Shiryu Morita painting sells for $97,071 across 5 lots.

Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 5 | $97,071 | $137,500 | — | 2024-11-05 |
| Works on Paper | 14 | $18,315 | $112,500 | 85.7% | 2024-09-17 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 6 | $77,910 | $163,645 | 83.3% | 2024-11-05 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 6 | $117,217 | $163,645 | — | 2024-03-19 |

## Price by size

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $18,900–$94,640 | $30,540 | $112,500 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2021 | $163,645 |
| Paintings | 2020 | $137,500 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2021 | $121,933 |
| Works on Paper | 2002 | $112,500 |
| Paintings | 2024 | $100,800 |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $94,640 |

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 Shiryu Morita worth?

Across 27 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Shiryu Morita work is $72,526. The median Shiryu Morita work on paper sells for $18,315 across 12 lots. The median Shiryu Morita sculpture sells for $77,910 across 5 lots. The median Shiryu Morita painting sells for $97,071 across 5 lots. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Shiryu Morita work on paper?

Based on 12 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Shiryu Morita work on paper is $18,315.

### What is Shiryu Morita's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Shiryu Morita work on paper is $112,500.

### What is Shiryu Morita's auction record?

Shiryu Morita's auction record is $163,645, set in 2021.

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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, “Shiryu Morita auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/shiryu-morita (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.