Assassinated November 15, 1867, at the Omiya inn in Kyoto's Kawaramachi. Age 33. While meeting with ally Nakaoka Shintaro, several assassins attacked. Ryoma was struck fatally on the forehead. The Kyoto Mimawarigumi under Sasaki Tadasaburo is the leading suspect, though Shinsengumi and Satsuma theories persist. His death came just one month after the restoration of Imperial rule—a tragedy on the eve of the Meiji Restoration.