In 1858, he lived as a "ronin" (masterless samurai) due to his father's forfeit of his "hanseki" (registration for the domain), and in 1867 when the group recruited its members, he joined the group with his younger brother, Tetsunosuke.
安政5年（1858年）、父の藩籍剥奪により、浪人生活を送り、慶応3年（1867年）の隊士募集の時に弟鉄之助を従え入隊。