Since the late 13th century, akuto were active in the Kinai (the five capital provinces surrounding the ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto), Tohoku, and Kyushu areas, and there were cases of akuto and jito unions prohibited in the Goseibai-shikimoku.
13世紀後半以降、悪党は畿内・東北・九州などで活発に活動し、御成敗式目で禁止されている悪党と地頭の結合など見られるようになった。