Since the second son, Munetake TOKUGAWA (who later established Tayasu-Tokugawa Family), was an excellent candidate, Yoshimune wavered in the judgement of successor temporarily, but considered a principle of Elders first, transferred shogunate to Ieshige and became Ogosho, made Munetake to establish the Tayasu family and the third son, Munetada TOKUGAWA to establish the Hitotsubashi Tokugawa family.
次男の徳川宗武（後に田安徳川家創設）という優秀な候補もいたため、一時期は吉宗も後継に迷ったと言われるが、結局長幼の序を重んじ、家重に将軍職を譲って大御所となり、宗武には田安家を、三男の徳川宗尹には一橋徳川家を創設させた。