Kotō

The Koto were local warrior magnates of Nagato Province, originally surnamed Mononobe; their genealogy claimed seventh-century magnate Mononobe no Moriya, and early head Taketada settled at Tanai in Asa district. In the Genpei War they first fought for the Taira and then changed sides, earning Koto district at Dannoura; on shogunate orders they later campaigned beside the Ouchi against the Mongol landings of 1274 and 1281.

Takezane broke with the Hojo deputy in the Genko War and was rewarded in 1334 with the constableship of Nagato, held by his son Takemura and two successors. The Kannō Disturbance split the house between the courts, and the Ouchi on the Southern side overran Nagato: in 1358 Yoshitake abandoned Shimofuri Castle and lost Chofu, and though Kikuchi Takemitsu's aid won a truce and brief return to Shimofuri, the Koto then vanish from the records, marking the house's presumed end.

In 1362 Ouchi Hiroyo became constable of Nagato, and only the cadet Akiyoshi branch kept the name alive as retainers.