He had a strong thought of Sonno Joi (reverence for the Emperor and the expulsion of foreigners) and wanted to join Goryo-eji (guards of Imperial mausoleums) led by Kashitaro ITO and others formed in April 1867, but he remained because Isami KONDO did not want to lost his talent.
尊皇攘夷思想が強く、慶応3年3月に結成された伊東甲子太郎らの御陵衛士に参加を希望していたが、近藤勇がその才を惜しがったため残留。