In 1368, after the death of his father, his father's successor, Ujitsugu OTOMO, allied himself with the Nancho (Southern Court), and in the same year Chikayo was made to be the head of the family.
1368年、父の氏時が死去した後、その後を継いだ大友氏継が南朝(日本)方に味方したので、その後を受けて同年のうちに当主となった。