Although he was requested to serve the Meiji Government or to visit Takeaki ENOMOTO's lodging to renew their friendship, he refused their requests saying; "If a person had a wish to meet someone, that person must visit him or her".
この間、明治政府への出仕の話や榎本武揚が「旧交を温めたいので宿舎まで来て欲しい」と面会したいと伝えたのに対し、「会いたいという奴の方から出向くのが筋だろう」と断ったという。