Based upon the influence of the Kanadehon Chushigura (The Treasure of Loyal Retainers), it is a commonly accepted myth that his debauchery was a ruse for deceiving the Kira and Uesugi families.
仮名手本忠臣蔵の影響で、これは吉良家や上杉家の目を欺くための演技であるというのが半ば定説化している。