As symbolized by the fact that Kichizaemon was called "Kacho-sama," extremely high respect was accorded to the Kichizaemon, from the high-ranking position of head of the directors down to the rank and file, and the successive Kichizaemon elevated the Sumitomo name through the cultural enterprise on one hand while on the other hand trying to raise the corporate morale as the family head and president of the Zaibatsu main company.
吉左衛門を「家長様」と呼んでいた事に象徴されるように、上は総理事から下は一般社員までに至る吉左衛門に対する敬愛の念はすこぶる高く、歴代吉左衛門もまた、一方では文化事業を通じて住友の名を高め、他方では家長・財閥本社社長として企業モラルの引き締めの任に当たっていた。