The Republic of Ezo

The Republic of Ezo was established on January 27, 1869 (gregorian calendar). Whether or not it should be considered the first democratic system in Asia is up for debate, but Enomoto was elected sousai 総裁 (president) by 'bushi' suffrage. It is difficult to evaluate how they decided to vote and who was allowed (or willing) to or if there were bushi women amongst the ranks of the Tokugawa loyalists, but Enomoto won 156 of the total 175 votes.

The Republic may be perceived as a disorganised form of resistance, but the former Tokugawa retainers had very clear objectives and motives: they wanted to provide a place for the Tokugawa clan to live and develop Ezo as a stronghold for mainland Japan. Plus, they had managed to realise part of the Bakufu's plan to bring some land into cultivation by spring.
However, on April 9, the new government forces landed in Ezo, and the former Shogunate forces were cornered around Hakodate. On May 8, Enomoto personally led his entire army to attack, but the new government forces took control of Hakodate soon after. They sent messengers to the former Shogunate forces's headquarters (the Goryokaku), with the mediation of Hakodate Hospital director Takamatsu Ryoun (see Sept 22, 2022 post), urging them to surrender. Along with his letter of refusal, Enomoto sent his "Complete Book of the Sea," which he carried with him since his studies in the Netherlands, to the naval staff of the new government forces to prevent it from being lost in the fires of war. He did well as most of the archives pertaining to the Republic were lost. In response, the new government forces sent a letter in the name of the naval staff expressing their gratitude (they also sent sake).
Following multiple defeats, Enomoto surrendered on June 26.
Enomoto was imprisoned as the new government was divided whether or not they should sentence him to death. Eventually, like many other former loyalists, he was pardonned and became Navy Minister in 1880.