In the Coup of August 18, 1863, he guarded the front of Sento Imperial Palace and the south gate of Kinri-gosho (imperial palace and residence) with a white headband on his shaven head and a large naginata (Japanese halberd) at his side, just like Benkei, and won the nickname of "Imabenkei (contemporary Benkei)."
文久三年、八月十八日の政変では坊主頭に白鉢巻、脇には大薙刀を備え弁慶さながらの格好で仙洞御所前および禁裏御所南門の警備にあたり、「今弁慶」の異名をとる。