On January 5, 1868, when Murata and Kazusuke YAMANODA passed by Nijo-jo Castle, they confronted the member of Shinsengumi (a group who guarded Kyoto during the end of Tokugawa Shogunate); Yamanoda killed one and Murata, who was slightly injured, resisted this.
12月11日、山野田一輔らと二条城下を通り過ぎたとき、新撰組の隊士と衝突し、山野田が1名を斬り、村田らは微傷を負ったが、これを退けた。