Born in 1563 as heir to Hosokawa Fujitaka (Yusai). He married Tama (later Gracia), daughter of Akechi Mitsuhide. After Mitsuhide's revolt at Honnoji in 1582, Tadaoki disavowed his father-in-law and confined Tama to Ajino in Tango. He served Hideyoshi capably and held 120,000 koku in Tango. At Sekigahara he joined the Eastern army; when Ishida Mitsunari tried to seize Gracia as a hostage, she set fire to the mansion and died. Tadaoki was later moved to Buzen Kokura at 390,000 koku, then Higo Kumamoto at 540,000 koku. A devoted student of Sen no Rikyu, he founded the Sansai school of tea. He died in 1645 at age 83.