After the fall of the Kamakura Shogunate, the Suwa clan clashed with Ogasawara Sadamune, who was appointed as the new shugo of Shinano by the new-established Kenmu Restoration.
Due to dissatisfaction with Ogasawara's rule, Yorishige and his son Suwa Tokitsugu supported Hojo Tokiyuki, the surviving son of Regent Hojo Takatoki, and initiated the Nakasendai Rebellion.
With the help of the Miura clan and others, Yorishige defeated and killed Shibukawa Yoshiki, Iwamatsu Tsuneie, Imagawa Norimitsu (of the Nanboku-cho period), and Koyama Hidetomo.
[1] According to the genealogy in Volume 27 of the Suwa Shiryo Sosho, it is believed that the "Suwa Moritaka" who helped Hojo Tokiyuki escape from Kamakura and brought him to Shinano is the same person as Yorishige.
[2] The headship of the Suwa family (the position of Daishugi) was passed down to his grandson, Yoritsugu (Tokitsugu's son).