However, the system deteriorated after Takakage died, and the Mori clan without a leader who would control the clans to support the head family split into factions around the time of the Battle of Sekigahara, lost the battle by default, and the territory was diminished to two provinces of Suo and Nagato.
しかし、隆景の死後はこの体制が機能しなくなり、家中を抑えて本家を守る重鎮を欠いた毛利氏は、関ヶ原の戦い前後における分裂と不戦敗、防長二国への減封を招く。