In the Kenmu Restoration started by Emperor Godaigo after the bakufu was overthrown, Morinaga was assigned to seii taishogun (literally, "great general who subdues the barbarians") and Hyobusho (ministry of military) and went to Kyoto.
幕府滅亡後に後醍醐天皇により開始された建武の新政で、護良は征夷大将軍、兵部省に任じられて上洛した。