While Sessai had religious influence as a chief priest of Sunpu Rinzai-ji Temple (Shizuoka City), he was also called 'administrative ruler' or 'general' of the Imagawa clan and supported Yoshimoto with impressive ability in politics, military affairs and foreign policy.
雪斎は駿府臨済寺(静岡市)の住持として宗教的な影響力を持ちながら、今川氏の「執政」・「軍師」とも呼ばれ、政治・軍事・外交に秀でた手腕で義元を補佐した。