He took great care of his vassals and was interested in the tea ceremony, numbering among the Rikyu shichitetsu (Rikyu's seven sages) (after SEN no Rikyu's death, he let Rikyu's son (SEN no Shoan) stay in his home), and he was very popular with a number of daimyo (feudal lords) and considered to be refined and intelligent.
家臣を大切にし、また茶湯にも興味を示して利休七哲の一人（筆頭）にまで数えられており（千利休の死後、その子息千少庵は氏郷の許で蟄居している）、諸大名からの人望が厚く、風流の利発人と評される。