The Kikkawa of Aki Province were descended from a certain [[Kikkawa Tomokane] who was killed helping to destroy Kajiwara Kagetoki in 1199. Tomokane's grandson Tsunemitsu was granted a fief in Aki at Ôasa. During the latter part of the 15th Century the Kikkawa served such shugo powers as the Akamatsu and Aki-Takeda, and initially competed with the Môri for land in Aki. They were brought under the Môri's sway by the adoption of Motonari's 2nd son Motoharu as heir.
References
- Initial text from Sengoku Biographical Dictionary (Samurai-Archives.com) FWSeal & CEWest, 2005