In 1546, Yoshiharu fought Harumoto (in the Battle of Eguchi), lost and escaped to Omi Sakamoto, during which time he gave the shogunship to his son and heir to the throne, Yoshiteru ASHIKAGA, and helped the still juvenile shogun as his guardian.
天文15年（1546年）、義晴は晴元と対立して敗れ（江口の戦い）、近江坂本に避難したが、このときに嫡男・足利義輝に将軍職を譲り、以後は幼少の義輝の後見人となった。