When Saigo was hit on his way and committed Seppuku (suicide by disembowelment) with the assistance of Beppu who played kaishaku (to behead one who has committed seppuku) in front of the gate of Kuno Okichi SHIMAZU's residence, Murata, who saw through Saigo's seppuku, marched further into the first base of Iwasaki-guchi where he stayed to fight.
途中で西郷が被弾し、島津応吉久能邸門前にて別府の介錯で自決すると、跪いて西郷の自決を見届けた村田らはさらに進撃し、岩崎口の一塁に籠もって交戦した。