In 1755, when he was 40 years old, he surrendered the family business to his younger brother and retired (at the time 40 years old was considered elderly) to a life of painting.
40歳の宝暦5年（1755年）には、家督をすぐ下の弟に譲ってはやばやと隠居し（当時、40歳は「初老」であった）、念願の作画三昧の日々に入った。