His Father Moroyoshi was soryo (heir) of Yamada clan but after his death the soryo title was transferred to his uncle Tokiyoshi YAMANA that gave him dissatisfaction.
父の師義は山名氏の惣領であったが、その死後、惣領職が叔父の山名時義の家系に移ったことに強い不満を抱いていた。