Tadayoshi's selflessness that saw him give to his subordinates all of the many gifts which were showered upon him by his elder brother Takauji is well known, but it is said that Tadayoshi originally disliked accepting such gifts.
兄・尊氏が山のように贈られてきた品物を部下たちにすべて分け与えたほど無欲だったというエピソードは有名であるが、直義はそもそもそういう贈り物を受け取ること自体嫌った、と言われている。