After he returned his right to administer government to Emperor Meiji (Taisei Hokan), he worked aiming to unite the nobles and samurai (Kobu Gattai); however, during the Battle of Toba-Fushimi that took place after the Restoration of Imperial Rule (Osei Fukko), he left the Shogunate army behind at Osaka-jo Castle and returned to Edo-jo Castle; thereafter, he received a subjugation order from the Imperial Court and entered into disciplinary confinement which led to the Bloodless Surrender of Edo-jo Castle.
明治天皇に政権を返上した（＝大政奉還）後、公武合体を目指すが、王政復古(日本)後の鳥羽・伏見の戦いでは、旧幕府軍を残したまま大坂城から江戸城へ戻り、朝廷から追討令を受けて謹慎し、江戸城を無血開城した。