According to "Bunbu Taiheiki" (Record of literary and military arts), Ietsuna had of gentle disposition and enjoyed painting and fishing, and even became known as 'Lord do so' due to his tendency to leave government affairs to Roju such as Tadakiyo SAKAI, himself merely giving approval by saying, 'Do so.'
『文武太平記』に拠れば、家綱は温厚な人柄で絵画や魚釣りなど趣味を好み、政務を酒井忠清はじめ老中らに任せ自らは「左様せい」で決裁していたことから「左様せい様」という異名が付けられたという。