However, since he was from one of Tokugawa gosanke (three privileged branches of Tokugawa family), and shohei (officers and men) of bakufu who were routed in the Battle of Toba-Fushimi took refuge in his domain, he was nearly put down by the new government.
しかし、徳川御三家の一つである上、鳥羽・伏見の戦いで敗走した幕府将兵の多くが藩内に逃げ込んだため、新政府の討伐を受けかけた。