Due to the protection of such powerful patrons as the Muromachi bakufu (Japanese feudal government headed by a shogun), the Imperial Court and Ishiyama-Hongan-ji Temple, he was able to survive the turmoil of the Sengoku period (period of Warring States).
元信は、室町幕府、朝廷、石山本願寺など、時の有力者より庇護を受けつつ、戦国時代(日本)の乱世を生き抜いた絵師であった。