When Okimoto MORI, the head of the Mori family, died of illness and young Komatsumaru MORI succeeded to Okimoto's position in 1516, Motoshige who took advantage of disturbance began actions to recapture Arita-jo Castle which had been occupied by Mori and Yoshikawa on the Ouchi side.
1516年毛利家当主毛利興元が病死し、幼少の毛利幸松丸が跡を継ぐと、その動揺に乗じ大内方の毛利・吉川に占領されていた有田城を奪還するために行動を開始。