Yoshikatsu believed in 'the thing held by the order of the Emperor' which was a will of the original forefather of the domain Yoshinao TOKUGAWA, so that he insisted in Sonno Joi (19th century slogan advocating reverence for the Emperor and the expulsion of foreigners) and conducted a reformation of domain duties, mainly a thrifty policy at domestic administration.
慶勝は、藩祖徳川義直の遺命である「王命によって催さるる事」を奉じ、尊皇攘夷を主張し、内政では倹約政策を主とした藩政改革を行う。