When Takauji ASHIKAGA rose in revolt against Emperor Godaigo and invaded with his force from Kamakura in 1335, he and his younger brother Takeyoshi KIKUCHI joined Yoshisada NITTA's army and fought against the Ashikaga side, but were defeated and took flight to Kyoto.
1335年、足利尊氏が後醍醐天皇に反逆して鎌倉より軍を率いて侵攻すると、弟の菊池武吉と共に新田義貞の軍に加わって足利軍と戦ったが、敗れて京都に逃げ帰った。