After the Kamakura bakufu was destroyed, the Emperor Godaigo's Kemmu Restoration began, but when Takauji ASHIKAGA, who had become disillusioned with Godaigo's direct imperial rule, tried to take refuge in Kyushu, Yorinao marched out to Akamaseki barrier to meet him; while en route, however, Dazaifu (the modern-day Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture) was attacked by Taketoshi KIKUCHI and Korenao ASO, both supporters of the Emperor, and his father Sadatsune was killed in the ensuing battle.
鎌倉幕府滅亡後に後醍醐天皇の建武の新政が始まり、親政から離反した足利尊氏が九州へ落ち延びてくると頼尚は尊氏を迎えるために赤間関へ赴き、その最中に宮方に属した菊池武敏、阿蘇惟直に大宰府（福岡県福岡市）を攻められ父の貞経が戦死する。