In a time of great upheaval, regional lords, or daimyo, rose to power as the central authority weakened. Established clans like the Takeda and Imagawa expanded their influence, while others, such as the Hosokawa, were usurped by more capable underlings. This phenomenon, known as gekokujō, or "the underling conquers the overlord," saw capable subordinates overthrow an emaciated aristocracy. Notable examples of this phenomenon include Hōjō Sōun, who rose from humble origins to seize power in Izu province, and the Toki clan's subjugation by the Saito clan.
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