In the beginning they adhered to the ideal of "Sonno Joi ("Sonno"is the principle of revering the emperor, while "Joi" stands for anti-foreigner sentiments)", opposed all interactions with foreigners, believed that it was imperative to establish a emperor-centered government, and believed that the government should implement this ideal.
当初彼等は尊皇攘夷の下で、異国との交わりを忌み嫌い、天皇を中心とした国家の建設が不可欠だとして、幕府に対して、尊皇攘夷の履行を徹底すべきと考えた。