The Kikuchi were a Japanese samurai clan from Higo Province in Kyushu. The Kikuchi clan was descended from the Fujiwara clan, but were friendly with the Kamakura Minamoto and became allies with them in exchange for indefinite military access, 850 koku, Minamoto Chikamoto as a hostage, and declaring war on the Ito clan. Their alliance secured northern and eastern Kyushu for the Minamoto diplomatically, and also gained them an ally against the Yashima Taira.