Motonari's first son Takamoto MORI, the second son Motoharu KIKKAWA, and the third son Takakage KOBAYAKAWA were all distinguished busho (Japanese military commanders), and these two younger brothers were renowned as the Mori-ryosen (military and political organization established by the scheme of Motonari), who supported the head family of the Mori clan.
毛利元就の長男の毛利隆元、次男の吉川元春、三男の小早川隆景らは皆優秀であり、弟2人は毛利宗家を支えた毛利両川として名高い。