Nobuo IMAI went to Kyoto as the head of the Yugekitai (one of Tokugawa clan sided units) and joined the Kyoto Mimawarigumi, which was under the command of Tadasaburo SASAKI.
遊撃隊頭取として京都に赴き、上京後、佐々木只三郎の京都見廻組に参加した。