On the way, he received an order from Emperor Kogon in Higo Province and fought hard against Taketoshi KIKUCHI of the Kenmu government faction in the Battle of Tatarahama but was defeated before rallying the support of samurai in east of the country, regrouping and beginning his advance eastward.
道中の備後国にて光厳天皇の院宣を得て、多々良浜の戦いで建武政権側の菊池武敏に苦戦を強いられながらもこれを破るなど、西国の武士の支持を集めて態勢を立て直して東上を開始。