When a large comet appeared in 1297, anxiety spread across society, and, according to the Tokusei concept of the time, Sadatoki issued the Einin no Tokuseirei (a debt cancellation order) by which properties had to be returned to the original owner without compensation.
そして、1297年（永仁5）、大彗星が現れると世相に不安が拡がり、当時の徳政観念に従って、貞時は、財物を元の持ち主へ無償で帰属させる永仁の徳政令を発布した。