As his great-grandfather, Tokichika, who acted as his conservator, died in the middle of the conflict in 1341, Motoharu succeeded to the control of Yoshida-so in Aki Province.
後見役の曽祖父時親はそうした争乱の最中の1341年（暦応4年）に没し、安芸国吉田荘の支配は元春が引き継ぐことになった。