Later He was released as his innocence had been proven, however he had to temporarily live in seclusion in Takehara, Hiroshima Prefecture, as the Siebold Incident triggered a severe criticism against Rangakusha.
その後、無実が証明され釈放されたが、シーボルト事件の影響で蘭学者への風当たりが強まると宗吉は一時広島県竹原に隠棲した。