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According to
CQ72, from a cultural merchant-family
Born in Sakai, in a time when Japan was in constant war (Warring States) (1467-1615). Sakai was a merchant city, trading spot with China and Portuguese, including weapons, which the tea men traded with warlords
We have a letter from Nobunaga thanking
利休 for 1000 muskets. So it's likely that Nobunaga liked
利休 because of that, not just for his aesthetic. Nobunaga formed special bonds with the merchants of Sakai in the tea room
1582 Nobunaga dies, Hideyoshi becomes
利休's boss. As his advisor, he would also oversee the castle when 秀吉 was absent (so he was pretty important). Was also given a large fief by 秀吉.
Names
Other names: 宗易（そおえき）
Got his name and title
利休 koji from Emperor Ōgimachi
Students
Suicide
Statue at Daitokuji? (But it was quite common for statues of donors to be placed like
利休's on the second floor)
Tea object market manipulation? (But 秀吉 was also part of it, and benefited from high tea toy prices)
Didn't like 秀吉's plan to invade Korea (not just in the film; Sen XV sais so, too, in
CQ72 Most probably just to influential over other daimyō as the main cultural figure of the day
Suicide on 28th day of 2nd month in 1591
Killed himself with a sword called
Yoshimitsu (吉光) made by 粟田口藤四郎吉光（あわたぐち とうしろう よしみつ）, one of the great swordsmiths of his time (
article)