[2] The Yamana were among the chief clans in fighting for the establishment of the Ashikaga shogunate, and thus remained valued and powerful under the new government.

However, members of the Yamana clan rebelled against the shogunate in the Meitoku Rebellion of 1391 and lost most of their land.

Sōzen would then become embroiled in a conflict with Hosokawa Katsumoto over naming the shōgun's successor; this conflict grew into the Ōnin War, which destroyed much of Kyoto, and led to the fall of the shogunate and beginning of the Sengoku period.

By the end of the 16th century, the Yamana had been reduced to holding the better part of Inaba Province.

However, Akizuki was based in Kyushu, while Yamana was in central Honshu, north of Edo.