> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/utagawa-kunisada-i-2 · updated 2026-11-02

# Utagawa Kunisada I (1786–1865)

## What is Utagawa Kunisada I’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 217 auction results for Utagawa Kunisada I at 15 houses since 2003. Over the last 24 months the median price was $151 including buyer’s premium (middle half $142–$455, n=5). The auction record is $3,825 for Asazumabune (Shirabyoshi Dance in a Boat) (2019, Bonhams). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asazumabune (Shirabyoshi Dance in a Boat), 1864 | Ink | $3,825 | Bonhams | Mar 2019 |
| 2 | Edo period (1615-1868), circa 1832, 1786 | — | $3,825 | Bonhams | Mar 2019 |
| 3 | Edo period (1615-1868), 1858, 1786 | — | $3,188 | Bonhams | Mar 2019 |
| 4 | Hiroshige no shinie (Memorial Portrait of Hiroshige), 1864 | Oban tate-e print | $3,187 | Bonhams | Mar 2019 |
| 5 | actors mitate Tokaido series, 1852 | Woodblock print | $1,040 | Koller Auktionen | Jun 2022 |
| 6 | Edo period (1615-1868), circa 1857, 1864 | Tin | $1,020 | Bonhams | Mar 2019 |
| 7 | Edo period (1615-1868), 1843-1847, 1786 | — | $1,000 | Bonhams | Mar 2021 |
| 8 | Edo period (1615-1868), 1856, 1786 | — | $900 | Bonhams | Sep 2018 |
| 9 | Triptyque d'estampes, oban tate-e, portrait d'acteurs en samouraï, près des huit ponts aux iris | Oban tate-e | $547 | Beaussant Lefèvre & Associés | Apr 2026 |
| 10 | FOUR KABUKI PRINTS BY UTAGAWA KUNISADA I (TOYOKUNI III) (1786–1864)., 1857 | Print | $520 | Koller Auktionen | Jun 2022 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 20 | $453 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $453 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 217 results from 15 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Utagawa Kunisada I is a Japanese artist with 453 auction lots recorded since 2003, median price $167. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Utagawa Kunisada I is recorded as sold in 2026 for $469; whether the price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Utagawa Kunisada I work worth?

Across 212 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Utagawa Kunisada I work is $167.

The median Utagawa Kunisada I print sells for $170 across 17 lots.

The median Utagawa Kunisada I work on paper sells for $1,995 across 2 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 | 33 | $170‡ | $3,187 | 51.5% | 2026-09-01 |
| Works on Paper | 2 | $1,995‡ | $3,825 | — | 2025-06-11 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 11 | $1,020‡ | $3,825 | — | 2026-04-17 |

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

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 12 | $86–$212‡ | $161‡ | $3,187 |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2019 | $3,825 |
| Prints & Editions | 2019 | $3,187 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $1,040 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $164‡ |

‡ 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 Utagawa Kunisada I worth?

Across 212 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Utagawa Kunisada I work is $167. The median Utagawa Kunisada I print sells for $170 across 17 lots. The median Utagawa Kunisada I work on paper sells for $1,995 across 2 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 Utagawa Kunisada I print?

Based on 17 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Utagawa Kunisada I print is $170. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Utagawa Kunisada I's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Utagawa Kunisada I print is $3,187.

### What is the average price of a small Utagawa Kunisada I print?

Based on 12 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Utagawa Kunisada I print (small (under 50 cm)) is $161, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Utagawa Kunisada I's auction record?

Utagawa Kunisada I's auction record is $3,825, set in 2019.

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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, “Utagawa Kunisada I auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/utagawa-kunisada-i-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.