Born in 1605 as the son of Katagiri Sadataka, lord of Koizumi Domain in Yamato. His given name was Sadamasa; he later became lord of the domain and came to be called "Sekishu" from his official title of Iwami no Kami (Sekishu). He studied tea under Kuwayama Sosen and cultivated his skills independently. Recognized by the fourth shogun Tokugawa Ietsuna, he was appointed tea instructor, gaining the position of official tea school for the shogunate. While preserving the spirit of Rikyu's wabi-cha, he founded "Sekishu-ryu" by restructuring tea practice to align with the formality and propriety of warrior society. His concise yet dignified tea style was widely embraced by the warrior class, becoming the most studied tea school among daimyo throughout the Edo period. He died in 1673 at age 69. His achievement in systematizing tea as the official etiquette of the warrior class holds great historical significance.

Warm and dignified in character. While preserving Rikyū's spirit, he showed flexibility in adapting to the times, devoted to harmonizing warrior etiquette with tea.

Sekishū-ryū became the largest tea school of the Edo period, establishing the standard for warrior tea. Its lineage continues through many sub-schools, maintaining significant influence in the tea world.