Kikuchi Clan

The Kikuchi Clan (菊池氏, Kikuchi-shi?) of Higo Province was a powerful daimyo family of Higo, Kyūshū. The Kikuchi lineage was renowned for its valiant service in defense of the emperor and against foreign invaders. The clan first distinguished itself during the Jürchen invasion of northern Kyūshū in 1019. The family rose to prominence during the Mongol invasion of Japan in 1281, when the heroism of Kikuchi Takefusa helped drive back the enemy. The family also was active in the Kenmu Restoration (1333-1336), an attempt by the emperor Go-Daigo to reassert imperial authority against the Kamakura shogunate.

This clan descended from Fujiwara clan. However it is questioned as a Baekje origin Buddha statue found in their origin site is the same type of Buddha statue belonged to Kikuchi clan, and as the statue was made before Fujiwara clan existed, it's believed that Kikuchi clan was possibly older than Fujiwara clan. Japanese genealogist, Suzuki Matoshi claimed the clan was from Baekje while Oota Akira, Japanese historian, claimed the clan originated from Ki clan. Many famous warriors have come from this family such as Kikuchi Takanao, Kikuchi Takefusa who stopped the Mongols in the Mongol Invasions of Japan, Kikuchi Taketoki and Kikuchi Takemitsu. Their stories have become some of the most colorful in the history of Japan. Along with the Ōtomo, Ōuchi, Shōni and Shimazu they would write the history of the island of Kyūshū.

The Kikuchi clan was taken out of power in Higo when the Ōuchi family took control over Kyūshū. Many of the members of the clan went into hiding either by moving or entering another family. A notable descendant of the Kikuchi is Hayashi Narinaga, a general for Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Mori Motonari.