Emperor Go-Daigo ordered Yoshisada NITTA to track Takauji down. Although Yoshisada was defeated at the battle of Takenoshita in Hakone, he fought back the ASHIKAGA's army in Kyoto in cooperation with Masashige KUSUNOKI and Akiie KITABATAKE, among others.
後醍醐天皇は新田義貞に尊氏追討を命じ、義貞は箱根・竹ノ下の戦いでは敗れるものの、京都で楠木正成や北畠顕家らと連絡して足利軍を破る。