Imperial Prince Norinaga, who became the Emperor Gomurakami later, entered Mutsu kokufu, the provincial capital of Mutsu Province, which had become shinno ninkoku (the province whose gubernatorial posts were reserved as sinecures for imperial princes) in the time of Emperor Godaigo after the downfall of Kamakura bakufu, and Akiie KITABATAKE, as Mutsu Osuke (Assistant Governor of Mutsu Province) and Chinju-fu daishogun, had mighty battles against the force of Takauji ASHIKAGA leading the force of Tohoku (north) region.
鎌倉幕府滅亡後は、後醍醐天皇の時代には親王任国となっていたため、後の後村上天皇となる義良親王が陸奥国府に入り、北畠顕家が陸奥大介鎮守府大将軍を務め、東北勢を率いて足利尊氏の勢力と大戦を繰り返した。