後藤家 Gotoke

What is Gotoke in Japanese Katana terminology?

The Goto family, also known as "Gotoke", was a lineage that conducted appraisals of sword fittings and issued "origami" (certificates), similar to how the Honami family appraised swords and issued origami. The family originated from "Goto Yujo" and from the Muromachi period onwards, they served as the official goldsmiths ("Goyotashi Kinshi") for the shogunate, producing sword fittings. In addition, they undertook casting of large coins and weights, thus holding power over the shogunate's finances.