* Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582): He was the first to seriously challenge the Ashikaga Shogunate's authority, effectively ending the Sengoku period (Warring States period) and laying the groundwork for a unified Japan.
* Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598): He succeeded Nobunaga after his assassination and continued his unification efforts, ultimately bringing almost all of Japan under his control. He also implemented policies that led to economic growth and cultural development.
* Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616): Following Hideyoshi's death, Ieyasu emerged as the victor in a power struggle and established the Edo Shogunate, which lasted for over 250 years and ushered in a period of relative peace and stability in Japan.
These three figures are often credited with ending the centuries-long civil war and establishing a unified Japan under the Tokugawa Shogunate.