The Sekihō Army was an anti-bakufu militia comprised of farmers and merchants that arose after the Battle of Toba-Fushimi in 1868, during the closing days of the Bakumatsu. Commanded by Sagara Sōzō, the Sekihō Army was split into units in order to better fulfill its missions and was sent as an advance team for the Ishin Shishi forces, collecting intelligence on each area and recruiting soldiers against the bakufu.