Osanobu further advanced the study of ancient paintings succeeded for generations in the Kobikicho house since Michinobu KANO, and completely mastered and incorporated the techniques of Yamato-e painting (a traditional Japanese style painting of the late Heian and Kamakura periods dealing with Japanese themes) into his painting style.
狩野典信以来、木挽町家に引き継がれてきた古画の学習を、養信は一段とおしすすめ、大和絵を完全に自らの画風に取り入れた。