[2] Ieshige suffered from chronic ill health and a severe speech defect which rendered his speaking nearly incomprehensible.

Uninterested in government affairs, Ieshige left all decisions in the hands of his chamberlain, Ōoka Tadamitsu [jp] (1709–1760).

He officially retired in 1760 and assumed the title of Ōgosho, appointed his first son Tokugawa Ieharu as the 10th shōgun, and died the following year.

Ieshige's reign was beset by corruption, natural disasters, periods of famine and the emergence of the mercantile class, and his clumsiness in dealing with these issues greatly weakened the rule of Tokugawa.

It was discovered that his teeth were crooked and badly deformed, confirming historical references to his speech defect.