While the wealthy farmers developed lands, accumulated wealth and strove for new developments, the Hosokawa clan is said to have been held in contempt as 'Poor Tonosama (feudal lord) in Higo' and to have left many of its debts unpaid.
豪農は開拓し富を蓄え新規開拓に励む一方、細川氏は｢肥後の貧乏な殿様」と蔑まれ、踏み倒した証文も少なくないという。