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Republic of Ezo (Japan)

image from Wikipedia, 24 March 2014

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This image is shown on Wikipedia as the flag of Republic of Ezo which is blue background charged with the combination of yellow chrysanthemum and red seven pointed star (Polar Star).
However there are several reasons for me to suspect that the image was invented by someone. There are no document nor image source.
Enomoto had never declared independence nor used the word of Republic of Ezo. He repeatedly supplicated Meiji Government for development of Ezo with remnants of the Tokugawa Regime under Imperial court's control.
His real intention was to welcome family members of Tokugawa to Ezo with Meiji Government's approval and newly establish Tokugawa Domain there. After the battle of Hakodate he was appointed as Governor of Ezo
and worked for for Meiji government.
He used Hinomaru as the former Shogunate Forces ensign. There is no reason to use Imperial crest chrysanthemum which was used by enemy new government Forces. It proved from the attached picture of Enomoto's main fleet Kaiten-Go during Battle of Hakodate.

image located by Nozomi Kariyasu, 24 March 2014

The design idea of seven pointed star (Polar Star) did not come up until 1872 Colonization office was built.
In the first place, the word of Ezo Republic appeared in the book titled Leaders of Japan written by Charles Lanman in 1883 published by Boston Publishing Company. The book says after consulting with Alien Consul, the Remnants of the Tokugawa Regime established their Republic in Hakodate and appointed Takeaki Enomoto as President and Taro Matsudaira Vice President which seems unbelievable but in a fact. The description is not faithful to historical facts and Words had wings to cause for such misinterpretation as Enomoto Regime established an independent Republic in Hakodate.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 24 March 2014