Around 1345, during the Kokoku and Jowa era, he left the priesthood and proceeded to the capital, where he was introduced to the priest Gene Hoin in Kyoto, and became the adopted son of his uncle, Tadayoshi ASHIKAGA.
興国6年/貞和元年（1345年）頃に還俗して上洛、京都で玄恵法印に紹介され叔父の足利直義の養子となった。