The Sengoku period (period of warring states), in particular, was a time based on merit when bloodline did not guarantee rank or power; the Hosokawa clan, the shoryu, took power as the kanrei (shogunal deputy) from the Ashikaga Shogun family, the chakuryu of the Ashikaga clan who established the Muromachi bakufu; and the Amago clan, the shoryu, usurped the position of Shugo (Provincial Constable) from the Kyogoku clan, Izumo Shugo, and the chakuryu.
特に戦国時代(日本)は室町幕府を開いた足利氏の嫡流　足利将軍家に対し、庶流の細川氏が管領として実権を奪ったり、出雲守護で嫡流であった京極氏は庶流の尼子氏に守護の地位を簒奪されるなど、血筋では地位や権力を担保し得ない実力本位の時代でもあった。