At that time, his father Terumune was 41 years old and still in his prime, thus Masamune first declined to succeed family headship insisting on his immaturity; however, the determination of Terumune was strong as he saw through the talent of Masamune as a military commander; eventually Masamune accepted the succession of family headship.
父・輝宗は41歳の働き盛りでもあり、政宗は当初、年少を理由に辞退を申し出たが、政宗の武将としての素質を見抜いていた輝宗の決意は固く、家督を相続することとなった。