Kikuchi Taketoki

Kikuchi Ikejiro nyudo Jakua (Taketoki) (1292-April 27, 1333) was the 12th head of the Kikuchi Clan. He was born the second son of Kikuchi Takamori and he was the younger brother of Kikuchi Tokitaka (first son). His child name was Shoryumaru. During his life, he would also use the name Jakua. His father Takamori died before his grandfather Takefusa. Takamori's brother Takenori and Taketoki's brother Tokitaka fought each other for power and both ended up dying. Therefore, Taketoki became head of the clan. In 1333, Emperor Go-Daigo asked for 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 they found out about his plan and they attacked him first. Taketoki and his son Yoritaka died in this attack and was 42 years old. Taketoki was buried in Fukuoka city. He has one grave for his head and one grave for his midsection. Kikuchi Shrine in Kikuchi City was made in his honor. He has 12 children in all. He was a clever samurai but Hojo Hidetoki did not underestimate him. He burned down Hakata and attacked. Otomo Uji's support never came to help Taketoki. After this, a movement began to overthrow Hojo Hidetoki. Taketoki's next in line was Takeshige and he was prized Higo no Kuni. He was captured with his sons and beheaded. The enemy used their heads for archery practice.

From the Hakata Nikki: "So the heads of Kikuchi nyudo, his son Saburo, Jakua's younger brother Kakusho, and the wakato were hung up in the place where warriors practice shootings dogs from horses. Jakua's, Saburo's, and Kakusho's [heads] were displayed separately. In the evening, they were taken down and placed in the residence where they remained for about ten days. Then they were nailed to a board and a sign said that they were heads of the rebels, Kikuchi Taro nyuda Jakua, his son Saburo, and Jakua's younger brother, Jiro Saburo nyudo Kakusho."

See also