However, later on, Kanenaga followed SHU, and he was granted the title of 'King of Japan Kanenaga' (based on the record of "Taiso Jitsuroku" - the history of the founder) under sakuho (homage by Chinese emperors), and with the help of Ming's authority and power, Imperial Prince Kanenaga built the Southern Court force in Kyushu, even though the Southern Court forces had waned in the center of the politics.
しかし、後に臣従して「日本国王良懐」（『太祖実録』の記述による）として冊封を受け、中央では既に南朝勢力は衰微していたものの、懐良親王は明の権威と勢力を背景に独自に九州に南朝勢力を築く。