When Hisamitsu SHIMAZU came to Kyoto together with the army of his domain Satsuma to propose action plans in 1862, Shigetoku, who was released from suspension, went to Edo under the protection of Satsuma's army as a chokushi (special envoy) at the recommendation of Iwakura.
文久2年（1862年）、薩摩藩の島津久光が藩兵を率いて献策のために上洛すると、赦免された重徳は岩倉の推薦で勅使として薩摩藩兵に警備されて江戸へ赴く。