The majority of the imperial consultative assembly…

The majority of the imperial consultative assembly is happy with the formal declaration of direct rule by the court and tends to support a continued collaboration with the Tokugawa (under the concept of "just government", but Saigō Takamori threatens the assembly into abolishing the title "shogun" and ordering the confiscation of Yoshinobu's lands.

Although he initially agrees to these demands, on January 17, 1868 Yoshinobu declares "that he would not be bound by the proclamation of the Restoration and called on the court to rescind it." (Keene, Donald (2005). Emperor of Japan: Meiji and His World, 1852–1912. Columbia. p. 124)