In July, at the residence of Shoichiro SHIRAISHI who was a wholesaler in the port, Takasugi formed the Kiheitai militia, consisting of voluntary soldiers of any social rank, with its headquarters at Amida-ji Temple (next to Akama-jingu Shrine).
6月には廻船問屋の白石正一郎邸において身分に因らない志願兵による奇兵隊を結成し、阿弥陀寺（赤間神宮の隣）を本拠とする。