Thinking that the passage of time would put him at a disadvantage, he mobilized his troops on March 17; the commanders TAJI no Tsuneakira and SAKANOUE no Katsutaka, under Masakado's Vice Shogun FUJIWARA no Harumochi, launched an attack on Sadamori and Hidesato's army as soon as they found them, without first reporting to Masakado, but Harumochi's army was defeated.
時を移しては不利になると考えて2月1日出陣、将門の副将藤原玄茂の武将多治経明と坂上遂高らは貞盛・秀郷軍を発見すると将門に報告もせずに攻撃を開始、しかし玄茂軍は敗退してしまう。