Toshimitsu Imai (1928–2002)
What is Toshimitsu Imai’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 372 auction results for Toshimitsu Imai at 28 houses since 1995. Over the last 24 months the median price was $4,386 including buyer’s premium (middle half $3,767–$5,187, n=9). The auction record is $413,000 for Lava (2015, Phillips). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lava, 1957 | Oil paint | $413,000 | Phillips | Nov 2015 |
| 2 | Fire and Earth, 1958 | Oil paint | $227,147 | Christie's | Oct 2016 |
| 3 | Eclipse (Noir), 1962 | Oil paint | $151,937 | Christie's | May 2016 |
| 4 | Vittoria | Oil on canvas | $140,725 | Sotheby's | Jun 2017 |
| 5 | Pittura (Verde), 1960 | Oil paint | $124,692 | Phillips | Feb 2016 |
| 6 | Le Soleil Levant | Oil on canvas | $123,294 | Sotheby's | Oct 2016 |
| 7 | Oil Painting, 1981 | Sand, gravel and oil on canvas | $120,876 | Sotheby's | Oct 2016 |
| 8 | Brise Glacée (Icy Breeze), 1963 | Oil paint | $115,108 | Christie's | Oct 2016 |
| 9 | Chimère 幻想 [Gensou] (Fantasy), 1973 | Mixed media | $112,500 | Phillips | May 2016 |
| 10 | Untitled, 1965 | Ink and aggregate on canvas | $93,240 | Cornette de Saint Cyr (Bonhams) | Apr 2021 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 54 | $22,220 |
| Other | 17 | $18,101 |
| Works on paper | 10 | $4,780 |
| Prints | 7 | $560 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 20 | $35,482 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 48 | $8,388 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 372 results from 28 houses · How we compute these figures
Toshimitsu Imai is a Japanese artist with 471 auction lots recorded since 1995, median price $5,109. 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 Toshimitsu Imai is recorded as sold in 2026 for $6,994; whether the price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
1 Toshimitsu Imai work is coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Toshimitsu Imai free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Toshimitsu Imai record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Toshimitsu Imai on OpeningBid →What is a Toshimitsu Imai work worth?
Across 372 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Toshimitsu Imai work is $5,109.
The median Toshimitsu Imai painting sells for $6,162 across 266 lots.
The median Toshimitsu Imai work on paper sells for $2,958 across 30 lots.
The median Toshimitsu Imai print sells for $533 across 19 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Toshimitsu Imai paintings typically sell for $2,296–$17,399 (the middle half of 131 sold lots).
Large (over 120 cm) Toshimitsu Imai paintings typically sell for $3,645–$39,225 (the middle half of 54 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 | 25 | $533†‡ | $4,800 | 76% | 2026-05-20 |
| Paintings | 321 | $6,162†‡ | $413,000 | 82.9% | 2026-05-30 |
| Works on Paper | 37 | $2,958‡ | $56,250 | 81.1% | 2025-02-20 |
| Photography | 4 | $18,299‡ | $36,597‡ | — | 2015-09-17 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 19 | $124,594‡ | $413,000 | — | 2021-10-30 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Toshimitsu Imai's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (25 lots) median $533 with 76% sell-through. Paintings (321 lots) median $6,162, record $413,000. A typical Toshimitsu Imai painting sells for around 12× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 19 lots) the median is $124,594.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 13 | $238–$598†‡ | $320†‡ | $1,017 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ 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) | 13 | $1,929–$7,535†‡ | $4,047†‡ | $31,954† |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 131 | $2,296–$17,399‡ | $5,187‡ | $227,147 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 54 | $3,645–$39,225‡ | $13,805‡ | $413,000 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 20 | $1,445–$5,917‡ | $2,700‡ | $56,250 |
‡ 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 | 2015 | $413,000 |
| Paintings | 2015 | $257,846‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2015 | $56,250 |
| Photography | 2015 | $36,597‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2019 | $30,111‡ |
| Photography | 2015 | $26,616‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $4,800 |
| Prints & Editions | 2008 | $1,515‡ |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Toshimitsu Imai worth?
Across 372 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Toshimitsu Imai work is $5,109. The median Toshimitsu Imai painting sells for $6,162 across 266 lots. The median Toshimitsu Imai work on paper sells for $2,958 across 30 lots. The median Toshimitsu Imai print sells for $533 across 19 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Toshimitsu Imai paintings typically sell for $2,296–$17,399 (the middle half of 131 sold lots). Large (over 120 cm) Toshimitsu Imai paintings typically sell for $3,645–$39,225 (the middle half of 54 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 Toshimitsu Imai painting?
Based on 266 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Toshimitsu Imai painting is $6,162. 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 Toshimitsu Imai's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Toshimitsu Imai painting is $413,000.
What is the average price of a Toshimitsu Imai work on paper?
Based on 30 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Toshimitsu Imai work on paper is $2,958. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Toshimitsu Imai's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Toshimitsu Imai work on paper is $56,250.
What is the average price of a Toshimitsu Imai print?
Based on 19 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Toshimitsu Imai print is $533. 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 Toshimitsu Imai's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Toshimitsu Imai print is $4,800.
What is the average price of a medium Toshimitsu Imai painting?
Based on 131 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Toshimitsu Imai painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $5,187, 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 Toshimitsu Imai painting?
Based on 54 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Toshimitsu Imai painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $13,805, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Toshimitsu Imai's auction record?
Toshimitsu Imai's auction record is $413,000, set in 2015.
See the full Toshimitsu Imai record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Toshimitsu Imai on OpeningBid →