His younger brother Saburo died during the Battle of Toba-Fushimi, and the other family members were held up in Tsuruga-jo Castle, but his father Gonpachi died on the battle field outside the castle.
鳥羽伏見の戦いで弟三郎戦死、残る家族は鶴ヶ城に篭城するも、父権八は城外で討死。