The Muromachi bakufu (shogunate) tried to strengthen its control by appointing Yoshinao NIKI as provincial governor however, some say Jiho colluded with Yoshinao behind the scenes while simultaneously conspiring with minor local lords in resistance to the powers of the governor.
室町幕府は守護に仁木義直を任じて支配強化を図ったが、持法は一方で守護支配に抵抗する国人と結びつつ、裏では義直と結託していたという。