There is a theory that Katsumasa ran away in front of enemies at the Battle of Katsura-gawa River; however, because Nobunaga did not punish him, the theory is without credibility.
桂川の戦いでは、敵前逃亡したとの説もあるが戦況や戦後信長からの処罰等が見られない点等があり、信憑性にかける。