When Katamori started as Kyoto Shugoshoku the first thing he did was lead Aizu Clan soldiers into Kyoto for an audience with Emperor Komei, and negotiate with the Imperial Court; at first he planned to keep the peace with a policy of opening up talks, even with anti-shogunate agitators.
京都守護職に就任した容保はさっそく会津藩兵を率いて京都へ上洛し、孝明天皇に拝謁して朝廷との交渉を行い、最初は倒幕派の者とも話し合っていく「言路洞開」の方針で治世をすすめた。