Born in 1520 into the powerful Imai merchant family of Sakai. He married the daughter of his teacher Takeno Joo and inherited many famous tea utensils from him, establishing his standing in the tea world. He allied with Oda Nobunaga earlier than anyone, using his merchant network in Sakai to exclusively supply military goods including firearms and gunpowder. In return he obtained the post of Sakai magistrate and commercial privileges throughout the country, simultaneously strengthening both wealth and political influence. This skill at linking tea with power as a merchant-politician was unprecedented in his era. Called one of the "Three Great Tea Masters" alongside Rikyu and Tsuda Sogyu, his political influence was the greatest among tea practitioners of his time. He died in 1593 at age 74.

A businessman who combined commercial talent with tea mastery. He had foresight to read the times and was skilled at building relationships with those in power.

He contributed to Sakai's autonomy and commercial growth, establishing tea as a venue for politics and diplomacy. The famous utensils he inherited from Joo are treasures of tea history.