It is alternatively believed that Domanmaru was not murdered at the Yotsuya-toride Fortress, but was sheltered by Nobufusa ICHIKAWA who was a 'gozoku' (powerful local clan) in Hokushin (northern Shinshu) district.
四ツ屋砦で殺害されず、北信の豪族・市河信房に保護されたという説もある。