By 1469, Kanetaka MASUDA, a high-ranking vassal of the Ouchi family and known as a general distinguished in both literary and military arts, severed from his lord in Iwami Province and, joining hands with Chikashige OTOMO and Masasuke SHONI in Kyushu, invaded Ouchi's territory on the Western side under the banner of Noriyuki OUCHI; though this action was subdued, in 1471 Takakage ASAKURA who, in spite of his status as shugodai (deputy shugo), had led the main force of the Western camp, was personally appointed by Yoshimasa to the position of shugo of Echizen and went over to the Eastern side.
1469年（文明元年）になると、大内氏の重臣で文武両道の名将として知られた益田兼堯が石見国で離反、九州の大友親繁・少弐政資とともに大内教幸を擁して西軍方の大内領に侵攻、この動きは鎮圧されたものの、1471年（文明3年）には守護代でありながら西軍の主力となっていた朝倉孝景が義政自らの越前守護職補任をうけて東軍側に寝返ったのである。