In the first conquest of Choshu, he was attacked by Zokuron-to (Sodetogi-bashi Bridge incident) due to his claiming of superficial obedience to the Bakufu and secret reinforcement of armaments, being seriously injured, but narrowly escaped death thanks to an operation conducted by Ikutaro TOKORO, a doctor and a ronin of Mino.
第1次長州征伐では武備恭順を主張したために俗論党に襲われ（袖解橋の変）、瀕死の重傷を負うが、美濃の浪人で医師の所郁太郎の手術を受け、一命を取り留める。