Sorori Shinzaemon was born in Aichi, Japan. His family name is unknown. Some said it was Suzimoto. His given name was Jinzaemon. He adopted Sorori (meaning smoothly) as his name because his sheaths were so well made that blades slid into them very smoothly.
Sorori lived in Sakai near Osaka where he became a maker of sword sheaths. He composed a witty kyoka (comic waka) on a rumor which circulated at the time of Hideyoshi Toyotomi's Korean expedition that he had crossed over to the Korean peninsula. Impressed by Shinzaemon's wit, Hideyoshi made him an attendant to enjoy his conversation. In the Tensho Era (1573-1591), Hideyoshi granted him a piece of land at Azuchimachi in Osaka.
Sorori was known for being very witty and cheerful person. Many anecdotes were told about his wit and sense of humor.
