Dashi, a type of stock made from fish and seaweed, is a key ingredient in many Japanese dishes and is often used to add flavor and umami.

The Showa period, which lasted from 1926 to 1989, was marked by Japan's militarism and involvement in World War II.

The 16th century saw the rise of Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, who were instrumental in unifying Japan under a centralized government.