Although it is said that the leader of Ichibangumi of the Shinsengumi, Soji OKITA used Norimune-made swords, Norimune's swords were treated as a national treasure at the end of the Edo period, so it was impossible for Okita to obtain one.
新撰組の一番隊組長沖田総司が所持していたとされるが、幕末期において、則宗の刀は既に国宝的な扱いを受けており、到底、沖田に手の出る物ではない。