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The Sengoku period, often called the "Warring States" period of <a href="https://history-maps.com/story/History-of-Japan" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Japan</a>, spanned from the mid-15th to the late 16th century, coinciding substantially with the Muromachi period (1336–1573). This era was characterized by near-constant civil wars and significant social upheaval. Historians debate its start, typically marking it around significant events like the Kyōtoku incident (1454), the Ōnin War (1467), or the Meiō incident (1493). Its conclusion is also contested, with some citing <a href="https://history-maps.com/story/Oda-Nobunaga" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Oda Nobunaga's</a> 1568 march on Kyoto and others extending it to the suppression of the Shimabara Rebellion in 1638. During the Sengoku period, the power dynamics within Japan shifted dramatically. The Ashikaga <a href="https://history-maps.com/article/Shogunate-System-of-Japan" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Shogunate</a>, which had been the central authority, weakened significantly. This decline allowed regional lords, known as Sengoku daimyo, to rise to prominence. The period was marked by frequent conflicts between these daimyo, internal clan strife, and revolts led by the Ikkō-ikki, a militant <a href="https://history-maps.com/story/History-of-Buddhism" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Buddhist</a> group. The traditional feudal relationships eroded as vassals sometimes overthrew their lords, leading to further instability. This upheaval allowed individuals from various social backgrounds, including peasants, to rise to power and status. Notable figures such as Hōjō Sōun became the first samurai to ascend to the rank of Sengoku daimyo, while others like Uesugi Kenshin gained power by undermining their superiors. One of the most remarkable stories of social mobility was that of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who rose from a peasant background to become one of Japan’s most influential leaders as a samurai, daimyo, and eventually Imperial Regent. The period culminated with the efforts of the "Great Unifiers"—Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu—who are credited with restoring central governance and leading Japan into the stability of the <a href="https://history-maps.com/story/Edo-Period" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Edo period</a>.

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Sengoku Jidai 

Visual Timelines

Sengoku Jidai Timeline

Sengoku Jidai Timeline

Prologue

Emergence of Warring States

Beginning of Ōnin War

End of Onin War

Kaga Rebellion

Hōjō Sōun seizes Izu Province

Fall of the Hosokawa clan

Hosokawa Harumoto gains power

Battle of Idano

Portuguese arrive in Japan

Siege of Kawagoe Castle

Miyoshi Clan Rises

Tainei-ji incident

Battles of Kawanakajima

Tripartite pact among Takeda, Hōjō and Imagawa

Battle of Miyajima

Rise of Daimyos

Battle of Okehazama

Eiroku Incident

Nobunaga drives out Miyoshi clan

Ishiyama Hongan-ji War

Unification of Shikoku

Battle of Mikatagahara

Death of Takeda Shingen

End of Ashikaga shogunate

Third Siege of Nagashima

Battle of Nagashino

Battle of Tedorigawa

Death of Uesugi Kenshin

Surrender of Ikko-ikki

Unification under Toyotomi Hideyoshi

Honnō-ji Incident

Tenshō-jingo Conflict

Battle of Yamazaki

Shimazu Yoshihisa controlls Kyushu

Hashiba Hideyoshi is granted title of Kampaku

Shikoku Campaign: Hidenaga force

Shikoku Campaign: Ukita's force

Shikoku Campaign: Mori force

Shikoku Campaign: Siege of Ichinomiya Castle

Kyūshū campaign

Taikō's Sword Hunt

Unification of Japan

Imjin War

Establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate

Toyotomi Hideyoshi dies

Battle of Sekigahara

Tokugawa shogunate

Siege of Osaka

Epilogue

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