After Tsunanori TOKUGAWA (the third lord of the Kishu Domain), his eldest brother, died in 1705, Yorimoto TOKUGAWA, his second elder brother, took over as head of family.
宝永2年（1705年）に長兄・徳川綱教（紀州藩第3代藩主）が死去し、次兄・徳川頼職が後を継ぐ。