Kikuchi Shrine

Located in Kumafu, Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture. Kikuchi Taketoki, Takeshige, and Takemitsu are the main deities, and 26 other members of the family, including Kikuchi Takemasa, are enshrined as secondary deities. The Kikuchi clan was a powerful clan in Kikuchi County, Higo Province. Taketoki was killed in battle in 1333 (Genko 3/Shokei 2) when he attacked Chinzei Tandai Hojo Hidetoki in Hakata. His son Takeshige fought against Ashikaga Takauji, who rebelled after the Kenmu Restoration, and Takemitsu fought bravely under Prince Kaneyoshi, the Shogun of the Western Expedition. Emperor Meiji rewarded the family's achievements and built the main shrine in 1870 (Meiji 3). Former special government-sponsored shrine. Annual festivals are held on April 5th and October 15th. The Kikuchi Family Constitution, Kikuchi Shrine documents, and portrait of Kikuchi Yoshiyuki, which are housed at the Kikuchi History Museum located within the shrine grounds, are designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan.

[Takafusa Hiraizumi]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

熊本県菊池市隈府(わいふ)に鎮座。菊池武時(たけとき)、武重(たけしげ)、武光(たけみつ)を主神に、菊池武政以下一族の26柱を配祀(はいし)する。菊池氏は肥後国菊池郡の豪族。武時は1333年（元弘3・正慶2）鎮西探題(たんだい)北条英時(ひでとき)を博多(はかた)に攻めて討死、子の武重は建武(けんむ)中興ののち背いた足利尊氏(あしかがたかうじ)と戦い、武光も征西将軍懐良(かねよし)親王に従い奮戦した。明治天皇はその一族の功を賞し、1870年（明治3）本社を創建。旧別格官幣社。例祭は4月5日、10月15日。境内にある菊池歴史館蔵の菊池家憲、菊池神社文書、菊池能運(よしゆき)画像などは国の重要文化財。

［平泉隆房］

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