Once, Ietsuna was told about exiles to an island and asked his aides what the exiles ate, but as nobody was able to answer Ietsuna retorted, 'If you are going to save them from death by condemning them to exile, why do you not provide them with food?'
島流しになり、流人となった者の話を聞き、家綱は、彼らは一体、何を食べているのだ、と側近に尋ねたが誰も答えられず、それに対し、家綱は「命を助けて流罪にしたのに何故、食料を与えないのか」といった。