Oda Nobunaga

Born a minor warlord from central Honshu island, Odo Nobunaga (1534-1582) invaded the main islands of Japan under the guise of assisting the faltering rule of the shogun, but in fact proceeded to march into Tokyo in 1568 and seize power. He chose not to adopt the title of shogun, but in fact ruled in the same fashion and is regarded as such by historians.