Kikuchi Shrine

Kikuchi Shrine
菊池神社
Kikuchi Shrine; 菊池神社
	Portrait said to be of Kikuchi Yoshiyuki
Website
	http://nobyama.com/kikuchi.html

Kikuchi Shrine (菊池神社, Kikuchi Jinja) is a Shinto shrine in Kikuchi, Kumamoto Prefecture, in which Kikuchi Taketoki (菊池武時, 1292-Apr 27, 1333), Kikuchi Takeshige (菊池武重, 1307?-1338?) and Kikuchi Takemitsu (菊池武光, 1319?-1373) are enshrined.

Another Kikuchi Shrine (Fukuoka)

Kikuchi Takemitsu is also enshrined in a Kikuchi shrine at 7-10-1, Nanakuma, Johnan-ku, Fukuoka where he died at war.

With the suggestion of Nagaoka Masami, Emperor Meiji ordered in 1868, the enshrinement of Kikuchi Taketoki, who worked for the emperors, and a shrine was built in the Kikuchi castle in Kikuchi. Kikuchi Taketoki was enshrined on April 28, 1870. The rank was Bekkaku Kanpeisha (shrines for those with distinguished services to the state). In March 1923, Kikuchi Takeshige and Kikuchi Takemitsu are enshrined, in addition. On September 1952, the shrine was made a Religious corporation. In 1970, a Kumonoe-guu building and a historical museum were built. On April 28, 2000, the 130th year anniversary of the shrine was performed.

The Kikuchi clan (菊池氏, Kikuchi-shi) of Higo Province was a powerful daimyo family of Higo, Kyushu. The Kikuchi lineage was renowned for its valiant service in defense of the emperor and against foreign invaders.
Kikuchi Taketoki was the 11th head of the Kikuchi clan. In 1333, Emperor Go-Daigo asked Taketoki to help him. He was Go-Daigo's first man and was awarded for this. Taketoki gathered many people in Kyushu and was planning to attack Chinzei Tandai's Hojo Hidetoki (Akahashi Hidetoki) but their plan was leaked. Taketoki and his son Yoritaka died in this attack but they were the forerunners of Kenmu Restoration (1333–1336). Taketoki was buried in Fukuoka city.

The 12th head of the Kikuchi clan, and the eldest son of Kikuchi Taketoki. He invented the Kikuchi 1000 spears or shortened spears on long bamboo trees, a new weapon. He strengthened the tie of the Kikuchi clan with a Kikuchi constitution.