He is believed to have become acquainted with Rikyu around this time and joined his tea ceremony group as one of his disciples; among whom he later came to be known as one of Rikyu Shichitetsu (Rikyu's seven closest disciples).
この間に利休と知り合い、弟子入りしたものと考えられ、のちに利休七哲のひとりとされる。