The Choshu clan was committed to the political activities in Kyoto, advocating the ideas of Sonno Joi (slogan advocating reverence for the Emperor and the expulsion of foreigners) and Kobu-Gattai (integration of the imperial court and the shogunate) to overthrow the Shogunate.
長州藩は尊皇攘夷・公武合体の倒幕思想を掲げて京都の政局に関わっていた。