Kikuchi Takefusa
| Kikuchi Takefusa | |
|---|---|
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| Native name | 菊池 武房 |
| Nickname(s) | Jirō (次郎) |
| Born | 1245 Higo Province, Japan |
| Died | March 26, 1285 Higo Province, Japan |
| Allegiance | Kikuchi clan, Prince Koreyasu |
| Rank | Daimyo |
| Battles/wars | |
Kikuchi Takefusa (菊池 武房?, 1245 – March 26, 1285) was the 10th head of the Kikuchi clan of Higo Province and gained fame for himself and his clan during the defense of Japan during both Mongol invasions of Japan.
"Kikuchi Jirō Takefusa" was son of the 9th head of the clan, Kikuchi Takayasu (菊池 隆泰); Jirō (次郎) means "second son". His mother whose name is unknown was from the equally famous Ōtomo clan and a great-granddaughter of Minamoto no Yoritomo through his illegitimate son. Takefusa became head of the clan after his father since his elder brother had died young. His younger brother Aritaka was adopted by their retainers, the Akahoshi clan.
During the first Mongol invasion at the Battle of Bun'ei he fought with his younger brother Aritaka and they were both awarded by the Emperor. Takefusa shot a Mongol general in the face with a signed arrow, precipitating the recall of the first Mongol invasion. Bun'ei is really the name of a campaign comprising many battles.
The Mongols had defeated or annihilated the defenders on the small islands of Tsushima, Iki, Hirato, Taka and Nokono during their island hopping towards the Japanese mainland. Akasaka was the first battle with a real army.
The Mongolian force had landed on Momochi field, Sawara District and divided into two groups one of which encamped at Akasaka. They were attacked by Kikuchi Takefusa losing about 100 soldiers. The greater group retreated to the hill of Sōhara, and the smaller group to Tukahara field in Befu. The Mongolian force pitched a camp on Sōhara field which had a hill 30m in height and a great vantage point of the streets of Fukuoka city. The field is now Sōharakōen "Sōhara Park". The stone monument in the center of Sōharakōen marks the remains of Mongolian soldiers who were killed during the battle. During this battle, Kikuchi Takefusa gained fame for all the heads of the enemy that he collected.
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Wikipedia