When Yoshimochi suffered critical illness, Mitsuie HATAKEYAMA, kanrei (shogunal deputy), and gojiso (a priest who prays to guard the emperor) Mansai, persuaded Yoshimochi to select a successor by drawing lots, mikuji (the lots of God) were drawn in Iwashimizu Hachimangu after the death of Yoshimochi and Gien Shorenin was selected from among four brothers of Yoshimochi: Gisho KAJII, Gisho DAIKAKUJI, Eiryu KOZAN and Gien.
やがて病を得て危篤状態となった義持に、管領畠山満家や護持僧満済らがくじ引きによって後継を選ぶことを承諾させ、義持の死後石清水八幡宮において神籤が催され、義持の弟である梶井義承・大覚寺義昭・虎山永隆・足利義教の4人の候補の中から、義円が選ばれた。