On January 23, 1868, just before the outbreak of the Boshin War, he went out jinsho (camp) of Fushimi Magistrate's office, and smuggled himself into the residence of Satsuma Domain in Fushimi.
戊辰戦争勃発直前の慶応3年12月29日、新選組の陣所伏見奉行所を出て同じく伏見の薩摩藩邸へ潜入した。