The only negative opinion was from Yaichiro CHIBA, a member of the Shinchogumi (the Shinsengumi's Edo counterpart) and a colleague of Okita's brother-in-law, who said, 'from our viewpoint, their skills are suitable for mokuroku (a low level)'
ちなみに千葉弥一郎（新徴組隊士で、沖田の義兄と同僚）の言葉に「われわれからみたらやっと目録（低い段位）くらいの腕前」と、唯一の否定的見解が見られる。