The Boshin War broke out shortly after the Taisei Hokan (transfer of power back to the Emperor) and the Restoration of Imperial Rule, and his uncle Genzaburo died in the Battle of Toba-Fushimi.
まもなく、大政奉還、王政復古の令を経て戊辰戦争が勃発し、叔父源三郎が鳥羽・伏見の戦いで戦死。