Around that time Shuho had beaten other kishi (professional Go players) down to Sen or further handicaps and advanced to 2-kyu (8-dan) with the recommendation by all members of Hoensha.
この時期秀甫は他の棋士を先以下に打ち込んでおり、明治14年に方円社全員の推薦により2級（八段）へ進んだ。