Due to the matrimonial relations with the Uesugi clan who was a relative of the Ashikaga clan by marriage and others, he didn't followed Yoshisada NITTA who was the soryo (heir) of the Nitta clan, but participated Takauji ASHIKAGA's estrangement from Emperor Godaigo, the Battle of Minatogawa (the Battle of the Minato-gawa River) and so on.
足利氏の姻族である上杉氏との縁戚関係などから、新田一族の惣領である新田義貞には従わずに、足利尊氏の後醍醐天皇からの離反、湊川の戦いなどに参加。