In 1559, owing to the mediation through Hisahide, Masatora was granted Chokumen (pardon by Emperor's order) from Emperor Ogimachi to formally use the name of the Kusunoki clan, and he renamed himself from Choan KUSUNOKI to Masatora KUSUNOKI.
久秀の取り成しにより1559年には正親町天皇の勅免を受けて、晴れて楠木氏を名乗り、楠長譜から楠木正虎と改名した。