Gokudou was originally a Buddhist term meaning "one who has mastered the path. In the Edo period (1603-1868), people who exhibited chivalry by helping the weak and struggling ones in the society were called "Gokudou-sha" out of respect. With the passage of time, the modern era Gokudou is used synonymously with Yakuza and the organization is a Japanese syndicate who runs the streets. Gokudou remains behind the scenes, in the dark and controls the strings of Japanese society.