In 1477, after the death of his father Yukitsune KIKKAWA, he became the head of the Kikkawa clan (however, since he commanded the Kikkawa army as head before Yukitsune's death, it is possible that the position of head of the family had been conferred on him before this time).
1477年、父・吉川之経の死去に伴い、当主となる（ただし、之経生前から当主のような立場で吉川軍を率いていたため、家督を生前に譲られていた可能性もある）。