He traveled to the capital in 1568, where he met with warlord Oda Nobunaga, and presented him with some tea accoutrements which had belonged to earlier masters. He thus earned Nobunaga's favor, and was granted a noble title. Shortly afterwards, when Nobunaga sought to lay claim to Sakai, many members of the council debated seeking defense from the Miyoshi clan, but Sōkyū was among those who suggested that the city submit.
In 1568, he traveled to the capital and met with Oda Nobunaga. He presented him with tea items belonging to previous masters as a gesture of goodwill. This act secured Nobunaga's favor and led to his being granted a noble title. Later, when Nobunaga aimed to conquer Sakai, some members of the council debated seeking help from the Miyoshi clan, but Sōkyū advocated for the city to surrender.