When the anti-shogunate movement (Genko War) was caused by the group of Emperor Godaigo, Takanao moved from place to place to fight as one of major captains of the bakufu army.
後醍醐天皇らの討幕運動（元弘の乱）が起こると、幕府軍の大将の一人として各地を転戦した。