The domain was beset by constant peasant rebellions and (according to popular history) Tsumanura narrowly avoided assassination by his uncles on several occasions.

[2] Once Tsunamura actually was able to exercise his own authority, one of his first actions was to order the construction of windbreaks and irrigation and flood control works on rivers.

He also emphasized the study of Confucianism, bringing several noted scholars to Sendai, as well as sponsoring the construction of numerous Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.

Through these efforts, he gained the reputation of being a good ruler; however, the fiscal burden of all of these public works and temple building drove the domain into debt.

Tsunamura remained in office until 1703, when he resigned in favor of his cousin, Date Yoshimura, as he had no son by his wife (the daughter of Inaba Masanori).