The Kikuchi clan, who was originally keeping a certain distance between the powers of Minamoto clan and the Taira clan, showing its spirit as a leading local potentials, however, as the Kamakura bakufu's decline became visible, the clan strengthened the relation with the Imperial Court.
菊池氏は、伝統的に源平勢力と一定の距離を保ち在地勢力の勇としての意地を見せてきたが、鎌倉幕府に衰えが見られるようになると朝廷とのつながりを深めた。