Jozen HOSOKAWA proceeded east by sea and landed at the forest of Ikuta-jinja Shrine (Sannomiya and Mikage areas of Kobe City), causing Yoshisada to fear that his path of retreat may be cut off and flee eastward, leaving the Kusunoki army isolated.
さらに、細川定禅が海路を東進し生田神社の森（神戸市三宮、御影付近）から上陸すると、義貞は退路を絶たれる危険を感じて東走し、楠木軍は孤立する。