He learnt renga from an early age from his father Soboku, however in 1545, at the age of 20, his father died and Soyo succeeded to his writings and position as a renga poet, becoming preeminent in the world of renga.
早くから父宗牧から連歌を学んだが、1545年（天文14年）20歳のとき父を失い、後連歌師としての地盤や伝書を引き継いで連歌界の第一人者となる。