Yoshimitsu ASHIKAGA, who sought to weaken dominant shugo daimyo, put pressure on Yoshihiro and provoked him to go to the capital in 1399, but Yoshihiro refused Yoshimitsu's order and rose in revolt (the Oei War) together with Mitsukane ASHIKAGA who was Kamakura kubo (Governor-general of the Kanto region).
有力守護大名の弱体化を図る足利義満は義弘を圧迫し、1399年上洛命令をするなど挑発をすると義弘は上洛を拒否し、鎌倉公方の足利満兼と通じて蜂起して反乱を起こす（応永の乱）。