He constantly received information on the situation overseas from his younger brother-in-law (his wife's younger brother) Nariaki TOKUGAWA (the lord of the Mito Domain) and reported it to Emperor Komei.
義弟（妻の弟）徳川斉昭（水戸藩主）から異国情勢についてこまめに連絡を受け、孝明天皇に知らせた。