Sōkyū Imai

Sōkyū Imai is an important 16th century merchant in the Japanese port town of Sakai and a master of the tea ceremony

The Nobunaga no Yabou 201X poll for 4-star officers puts him in one hundred twenty-nine place.

Roles in Games
In Samurai Warriors: Katana, Sōkyū Imai appears in the final scenario, Unification, as the leader of Sakai's Merchant Army. When Sakai is invaded by the Toyotomi army in an attempt to seize the port, Sōkyū requested the Protagonist's help.

In Nobunaga's Ambition : Lord of Darkness, The player can buy rice and rifle gun from his store

In Nobunaga no Yabou Taishi, his special portrait to commemorate the upcoming Nobunaga no Yabou stage play Kindei no Kubi Hen.

Live Action Performer

 * Hikomaro - as Imai Sōkyū in Butai Nobunaga no Yabou Kindei no Kubi Hen

Historical Information
He originally came from Yamato Province. After settling in Sakai, he studied the tea ceremony under Takeno Jōō, eventually marrying Jōō's daughter and inheriting his teawares and lineage as a tea master. In his business, Sōkyū traded primarily in firearms and ammunition. Around 1554, after donating a large sum to the Daitoku-ji, he organized a shake-up in the local merchant circles by which he climbed into a position of considerable influence, and became a member of the city's leadership council.

During the year 1568, he met Nobunaga in the capital and provide help with the issue of firearms and fireworks

Afterwards Sōkyū instructed Nobunaga in the ways of tea ceremony. Later he served as one of Hideyoshi's three tea masters, alongside Sen no Rikyū and Tsuda Sōgyū. He passed on his business and his official post to his son, Imai Sōkun and Sōkyū died at the age of 73