The same year, when Motonari retired and Takamoto MORI, who was Motonari's oldest son, took over as head of the family, Takakage and Motoharu KIKKAWA, who was Takakage's older brother, continued serving as the important vassals of the Mori clan.
同年、元就が隠居し、長兄の毛利隆元が家督を継ぐが、隆景は兄の吉川元春と共に引き続き毛利氏の中枢にあり続ける。