Born in 1477 as a kinsman of the Asakura clan of Echizen. He served as military advisor to four successive Asakura heads (the 6th through 9th) after acting as brother to the 5th. The repeated incursions by the Jodo Shinshu Ikko-ikki from Kaga province were the central military threat of this era, and Soteki commanded the front lines in over thirty campaigns against them, making him indispensable to the clan's survival. He was also recognized as a kindred military spirit by the young Nagao Kagetora (later Uesugi Kenshin) and supported Kenshin's march to Kyoto. In 1555, still on campaign into Kaga at age 78 or 79, he died of illness in the field. A deathbed remark expressing concern about the young heir Yoshikage is recorded. His "Asakura Soteki Waki," a compilation of his military precepts and observations, is regarded as a primary source on Sengoku warrior thought. His dictum "A warrior may be called a dog or a beast—what matters is to win" epitomizes the era's pragmatic warrior ethos.

A pragmatist known for saying "Call a warrior a dog or a beast—what matters is victory." His fighting spirit and cunning never faded with age.

The military backbone of the Asakura. After his death, the clan rapidly declined and fell to Nobunaga. His recorded sayings remain a valued Sengoku-era text on warrior principles.