Mori Takamoto's tomb

Takamoto was Motonari's eldest son, and the older brother of Kikkawa Motoharu and Kobayakawa Takakage. Compared to his father Motonari and his younger brothers Kikkawa Motoharu and Kobayakawa Takakage, Takamoto's presence tends to be overlooked, but he played the role of Motonari's successor and head of the Mori clan as the Mori clan expanded its territory throughout the Chugoku region. When talking about Takamoto's abilities as a military commander, it is essential to note the decision he had to make between 1553 and 1554 (Tenbun 22) about whether to continue or break off cooperation with the Sue clan, who had defeated Ouchi Yoshitaka. At this time, while Motonari was cautious, Takamoto insisted on breaking off relations with the Sue clan and becoming independent as a Sengoku daimyo. Later, in 1555, Motonari defeated the Sue clan in the Battle of Itsukushima, and together with his brothers Kikkawa Motoharu and Kobayakawa Takakage, Motonari and his brothers Kikkawa Motoharu and Kobayakawa Takakage, they expanded their influence throughout the Chugoku region with a powerful organization known as the "Mori Ryokawa System." Considering that Takamoto, not Motonari, took the initiative to break off relations with the Sue clan at a time that could be considered a turning point for the Mori clan, and that he established the "Mori Ryokawa System," Takamoto's abilities as a military commander should be reevaluated. In 1563, Takamoto suddenly died at age 41 in Sasabe (Takamiya-cho, Aki-Takata City). The following year, Motonari, Motoharu, and Takakage built his family temple, Jyoei-ji, and a plaque reading "Joei-kosetsu Zenji" written by Emperor Ogimachi was hung on the temple. The temple was later moved to Yamaguchi.