The Sengoku Period (1467-1603) was a time of social upheaval and military conflict in Japan. It began with the Onin War, which led to the breakdown of central authority and the rise of powerful regional lords known as daimyōs. This era was marked by constant battles, shifting alliances, and the emergence of samurai as prominent figures in society. During the Sengoku Period, notable leaders like Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu played crucial roles in unifying Japan. The period ended with the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate, which brought about a long era of peace known as the Edo Period.