In 1348, along with his brother Takemitsu KIKUCHI, he took in the Imperial Prince Kaneyoshi of the Emperor Godaigo to Hizen Province, and after that, he fought with them and Korezumi ASO against the Northern Court (Japan) power throughout Kyushu and defeated them.
1348年、兄弟の菊池武光と共に後醍醐天皇の皇子・懐良親王を肥前に迎え、以後は親王を擁して武光や阿蘇惟澄と共に九州各地の北朝(日本)勢力と戦い、これを破った。