Kikuchi Takefusa

Kikuchi Takefusa (菊池 武房)

Kikuchi Jiro Takefusa was the second son of Takayasu. In 1274 during the first Mongol invasion (Bunye) he fought with his brother Aritaka and were awarded. He shot a mongol general in the face with a signed arrow, precipitating the recall of the first mongol invasion. The family rose to prominence during the second Mongol invasion of Japan in 1281, when the heroism of Kikuchi Takefusa (1245–1285) helped drive back the enemy.

The Mongolian Force that landed from the Momochi field divided into two groups,being attacked by Kikuchi Takefusa at Akasaka, the greater group retreated to the hill of Sohara, and the smaller group to Tukahara field in Befu. The Mongolian Force pitched a camp in Sohara field. The Sohara field had a hill with the height of 30m and had a good view over the streets of Fukuoka city, and now is called Soharakouen Park. The stone monument in the center of Soharakouen Park shows the remains of battles of the Mongolian Invasion. Takefusa gained fame for all the heads of the enemy that he collected. He died at the age of 41.