While the despotic Kenmu restoration by Emperor Go-Daigo had been losing support, Takauji traveled to the east to suppress the Nakasendai Rebellion, and stayed in Kamakura to try to build his own government.
後醍醐専制による建武の新政が次第に支持を失っていく中、東下して中先代の乱を鎮圧した後、鎌倉に留まり独自の政権を樹立する構えを見せた。