However, when Yoshikatsu was finally appointed in 1849, he did not have as much clout amongst Bakufu officials and the high-ranking samurai in Owari, due to weaker blood relations to the Shogun than his predecessors.

[2] With a strong sense of duty as the head of the three collateral branches of the shogunal family, Yoshikatsu felt that the bakufu could only be assisted by paradoxically criticizing its policy.

[1] When the Treaty of Amity and Commerce (United States–Japan) was signed in 1858 (Ansei 5), Yoshikatsu joined with his uncle and cousin—Tokugawa Nariaki and his son Yoshiatsu—together with Matsudaira Yoshinaga (daimyō of the Fukui Domain) and others in making an unsolicited visit to Edo Castle, where they oppose the policies of the Tairō, Ii Naosuke.

However others were critical of Yoshikatsu and formed an effective opposition around Morinaga, so the domain was split between the two retired daimyō acting behind the scenes.

In the spring of 1863, Emperor issued "Order to expel barbarians" (攘夷実行の勅命, jōi jikkō no chokumei), and on the last day of the year formed the conference of councillors (Sanyo Kaigi (参預会議))), a panel of powerful daimyo to serve as his military arm.