Eventually , the Emperor 's side emerged victorious .
We have heard the famous story of that group of fifteen - and sixteen - year olds called the Byakkotai , 5 who committed seppuku ( ritual suicide ) since they had supported the defeated Tokugawa forces .
Eventually , the Emperor 's side emerged victorious , and we have heard the famous story of that group of fifteen - and sixteen - year olds called the Byakkotai , 5 who committed seppuku ( ritual suicide ) since they had supported the defeated Tokugawa forces .