The Sengoku Jidai, or "Warring States Period," was a time of social upheaval and military conflict in Japan from the mid-15th century to the early 17th century. During this era, numerous daimyōs (feudal lords) vied for power, leading to constant battles and shifting alliances. The period is marked by the decline of the Ashikaga Shogunate and the rise of regional warlords. This chaotic time eventually led to the unification of Japan under the leadership of prominent figures like Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu. The Sengoku Jidai set the stage for the Edo Period, which followed and brought relative peace and stability to the nation.