In 1602, after successfully concluding negotiations with the Tokugawa Shogunate, he officially transferred the position of family head to Tadatsune SHIMAZU, and retired; however, he retained significant influence, as evidenced in his exchanging correspondences with the Edo bakufu, and was continually sought out for counsel within the family until his death.
徳川幕府の領土安堵後の慶長7年（1602年）、当主の座を正式に島津忠恒に譲り渡して隠居したが、以後も江戸幕府と都度都度書状をやりとりするなど絶大な権威を持ち、死ぬまで家中に発言力を保持していた。