However, he was selected for Jinba Bugyo (Magistrate of inspection of battleground, and deployment and positioning of military capability) by the lord of the domain, Tadayoshi SHIMAZU and he showed remarkable service in the Battle of Toba-Fushimi, leading konidatai (caravan of men and animals carrying supplies).
しかし、のちに藩主島津忠義によって人馬奉行に抜擢され、鳥羽伏見の戦いでは小荷駄隊を率いて活躍した。