Born in 1593 as the second son of Sen Sotan, with the go name Ichio. In his younger years he served as tea master to the Matsudaira family of Sanuki-Takamatsu Domain, but later returned to Kyoto and established a tea room called Kankyuan on Mushanokoji street, founding Mushanokoji-senke. The name "Mushanokoji-senke" derives from the street where it is located. He interpreted his father Sotan's wabi spirit in his own way, pursuing rational and efficient temae. Although the smallest of the three Sen houses, its pure tea style that confronts the essence of tea through the spirit of "beginning from one" has earned enduring support. Walking a distinct path from his brothers Koshin (Omotesenke) and Senso (Urasenke), he transmitted the wabi spirit of his grandfather Rikyu in a form suited to the age. He died in 1675 at the age of 83.

Sturdy, practical, and rational. His stance of rejecting extravagance and pursuing essence was inherited from his father Sotan. He particularly emphasized Zen spirituality among the three Sen houses.

Though the smallest of the three Sen houses, Mushanokoji-senke maintains a unique presence with its rational temae and simple tea style. Kankyuan still stands in Kyoto, continuing to transmit tea culture.