After Masashige KUSONOKI's sons, brothers Masatsura and Masatoki KUSUNOKI, were struck down by Ko no Moronao of the Ashikaga faction in the 1348 battle of Shijonawate, the Imperial residence at Yoshino was overrun by the Ashikaga, and Emperor Gomurakami and the rest of the Southern Court faction were forced to flee to Ano (the present-day city of Gojo in Nara Pref.); the decline of the Southern Court's power and influence could no longer be concealed.
1348年（正平(日本)3年/貞和4年）には四條畷の戦いで楠木正成の子楠木正行・楠木正時兄弟が足利方の高師直に討たれ、吉野行宮が陥落して後村上天皇ら南朝一行は賀名生（奈良県五條市）へ逃れ、衰勢は覆い隠せなくなる。