The Ashikaga shogunate was a feudal military government in Japan that lasted from 1336 to 1573. Founded by Ashikaga Takauji, it marked the beginning of the Muromachi period. This shogunate was characterized by a decentralized power structure, where local lords, known as daimyō, held significant authority over their territories. During the Ashikaga shogunate, cultural developments flourished, including the rise of Zen Buddhism and the tea ceremony. The period also saw the emergence of the Noh theater and advancements in the arts. However, internal conflicts and power struggles eventually led to its decline and the rise of the Sengoku period.