Born in 1563 as the eldest son of Hosokawa Fujitaka (Yusai), his given name was Tadaoki. Around age 17 he married Tama (later Gracia), daughter of Akechi Mitsuhide. When the Honnoji Incident occurred in 1582, he made the decisive choice to refuse his father-in-law Mitsuhide's overtures and remain loyal to the Oda side. He continued to serve as a warrior in campaigns under the Toyotomi regime. At the Battle of Sekigahara he sided with the Eastern army and afterward became lord of Kokura Domain in Buzen with 390,000 koku. A devoted student of Rikyu and one of the Seven Disciples, his principal wife Gracia became a Christian and met a heroic end just before Sekigahara. After Rikyu's death he continued preserving the spirit of tea and founded the Sansai-ryu school. He maintained his passion for tea until his death in 1646 at the age of 83, transmitting tea culture from the Sengoku through the early Edo period.

Combined a warrior's fortitude with a tea master's sensitivity. Though known for jealousy, his devotion to the Way of Tea never waned. His reverence for Rikyu was deep and faithful.

Sansai-ryu tea is still practiced today as one of the warrior tea traditions. His achievement in preserving Rikyu's wabi spirit through the turmoil of the Sengoku era is significant.