Kusunoki Masanori (楠木 正儀, 1333 – 1390) was a samurai who fought for the Southern Court in Japan's Nanboku-chō Wars, and is famed for his skills as a leader and military strategist, though he later sought a diplomatic solution and was regarded a traitor by many of his comrades.

Following the death of his brothers at the 1348 battle of Shijōnawate, Masanori continued to oppose the armies of the Northern Court, Ashikaga clan pretenders to the throne.

In July of that year, he pressed north from Yahata, towards Kyoto, burning towns as he went, while Yamana approached from Nishiyama to the west of the city.

[1]: 92, 96 Several years later, Masanori defended the fortress at Akasaka, his father's birthplace, but ultimately withdrew; the fact that he was not pursued, and that the Northern Court army did not engage in further actions in the nearby areas immediately afterwards is noted as strange by George Bailey Sansom, but he offers no explanation.

[1]: 108 Peace agreements were reached soon afterwards, largely as a result of the mutual respect garnered by Masanori and Hosokawa Yoriyuki, a shogunate official, for one another.