Tosa school
Zaichū studied alongside Maruyama Ōkyo (円山応挙) (1733–95), who was to become one of the most influential artists of the Edo period and start his own painting school. There is some question as to whether Zaichū was Maruyama's pupil. Following Maruyama's death, Zaichū claimed not to have been, but this was disputed by Maruyama School members, most notably Zaichū's rival Kishi Ganku. Many modern biographies describe Zaichū as the “student” and Maruyama as his "teacher". Regardless, Zaichū was strongly influenced by Maruyama, as well as by the Kanō and the Tosa school styles. From these varied influences, Zaichū founded the Hara School in the mid-1770s.