Tōhaku himself was a student of Kanō Eitoku and is said to have considered himself the stylistic successor to Sesshū. He painted largely in monochrome ink, in largely Chinese-inspired styles, and is particularly famous for his depictions of monkeys.
The fact that Tōhaku studied under Kanō Eitoku and identified with Sesshū's style suggests a strong connection to the artistic heritage of Japan. His use of monochrome ink and Chinese-inspired designs further emphasizes this connection, particularly in his iconic depictions of monkeys.