He became the head priest of the Tendai sect of Buddhism after his father, Emperor Godaigo was successful with overthrowing the Kamakura bakufu (Japanese feudal government headed by a shogun) and the Kenmu Restoration started, but after the Restoration collapsed and antagonism between the Southern and the Northern Courts became serious, he returned to a secular life and was re-named Muneyoshi, he started taking sides with the Southern Court force of Yoshino in Yamato Province (Nara Prefecture).
父後醍醐の鎌倉幕府倒幕が成功し、建武の新政が開始されると再び天台座主となるが、建武の親政が崩壊し、南北朝の対立が本格化すると還俗して宗良を名乗り、大和国吉野（奈良県）の南朝方として活躍をするようになる。