 |
| Murakami - My Lonesome Cowboy |
Japanese buyers were the principal market players during the previous speculative bubble that gripped the art market between 1987 and 1990 (accounting for three of the ten best results during that period) investing in the biggest names in the Impressionist & Modern segment. Today, it is Japan’s artists who attract the world’s attention.
Artprice has posted the 10 best auction results generated by Japanese artists.
Top 10 : best auction results generated by Japanese artists
| Rank | Artist | Hammer Price | Artwork | Sale |
| 1 | Takashi MURAKAMI | $13 500 000 | My Lonesome Cowboy | 05/14/2008 (Sotheby's NY) |
| 2 | Takashi MURAKAMI | $6 000 000 | Miss ko² (1997) | 11/08/2010 (Phillips de Pury & Co NY) |
| 3 | Tsuguharu FOUJITA | $5 627 907 | Jeune fille dans le parc | 05/16/1990 (Christie's NY) |
| 4 | Yayoi KUSAMA | $5 100 000 | "No. 2" (1959) | 11/12/2008 (Christie's NY) |
| 5 | Tsuguharu FOUJITA | $3 126 688 | Enfants à la poupée | 11/14/1989 (Christie's NY) |
| 6 | Takashi MURAKAMI | $3 000 000 | Dob in the Strange Forest... | 11/12/2008 (Christie's NY) |
| 7 | Yayoi KUSAMA | $2 900 000 | No. G.A. White (1960) | 05/11/2010 (Christie's NY) |
| 8 | Takashi MURAKAMI | $2 696 030 | Kaikai Kiki (2005) | 10/14/2010 (Christie's London) |
| 9 | Takashi MURAKAMI | $2 376 840 | Panda (2003) | 04/03/2008 (Phillips de Pury & Co London) |
| 10 | Tsuguharu FOUJITA | $2 115 113 | Deux soeurs (1959) | 11/16/1989 (Sotheby's NY) |
 |
| Murakami - Miss ko² |
 |
| Murakami - Kaikai Kiki (2005) |
 |
| Murakami - Panda (2003) |
 |
| Murakami - Dob in the Strange Forest... |
Takashi Murakami
Takashi MURAKAMI is currently by far the most expensive Contemporary Japanese artist on the market. He has held this title since 2008 when his My Lonesome Cowboy fetched his all-time auction record of $13.5m. This 2.54 metre sculpture – in a limited edition of 4 – representing the triumphal ejaculation of a manga-styled satyr, went under the hammer at more than three times its high estimate ($3m - $4m). Funnily enought, Murakami recently declared that he considers his works too expensive …
 |
| Tsuguharu Foujita - Jeune Fille dans le Parc |
Tsuguharu Foujita
Until 2008, he was the most expensive Japanese artist on the market. His six best auction results were generated during the 1989 - 1990 period, but since 1999 his best score has been $950,000 and his auction record has stood unbroken since 16 May 1990 when Young Girl in the Park fetched $5.6m at Christie’s New York.
 |
| Yayoi KUSAMA - "No. 2" (1959) |
