Even though Shinsengumi were constantly in contact with Shojiro GOTO of Tosa han (Tosa Domain), and knew about Taisei Hokan (the return of political power to the Emperor by the Tokugawa shogunate) beforehand, it was written in such a way that it the event was unexpected and surprising for the Shinsengumi.
土佐藩の後藤象二郎と交流のあった新選組では大政奉還について予め知っていたにも関わらず、あたかも新選組にとって寝耳に水の出来事であったかの様な記述が見られる。