Shozo Tanaka was dressed in a crested hakama,the formal attire of the time. Since it was December more than 130 years ago, it was cold weather that would be unthinkable now. However,this was not a problem for Shozo, who was willing to risk death to appeal directly to the Emperor.
10:30 a.m. The carriage carrying the Emperor left the Imperial Palace, entering in the House of Peers at 11 o'clock. Shozo was among the many spectators at this time.Also accompanying him was a young newspaper reporter under the direction of Ishikawa Hanzan. Shozo asked to be allowed to go to the front, and he went through the crowd of spectators to take his place in the front row. 11:20 a.m. Just as the carriage carrying the Emperor was leaving the Capitol and heading back to the Imperial Palace. ”Please do me a favor!! Please do me a favor!!” With this cry, Shozo ran in front of the carriage to hand over a letter of complaint that he had been keeping in his pocket.
However,perhaps because he ran with his old body, he fell forward and was captured by the police guarding the carriage.
He was put in jail that day. This was his fifth incarceration. The reporter who had accompanied him returned to headquarters in a hurry. The reporter said, "O.Tanaka's direct appeal failed."