As the Imperial Court at that time had no ability and system to come into power, Yoshinobu thought that the Tokugawa family could practically have control over political administration if the family, which had a power to overwhelm Kugeshu (court nobles) and domains, participated in the new government under the Emperor even if the family formally returned the power.
当時の朝廷には政権を運営する能力も体制もなく、一旦形式的に政権を返上しても、公家衆や諸藩を圧倒する勢力を有する徳川家が天皇の下の新政府に参画すれば実質的に政権を握り続けられると考えてのことである。