Umunosuke YUKI had a close relation with Shinsengumi from early on (from the period of Mimawarigumi), and while he mentioned the fencing skill of KONDO, HIJIKATA, NAGAKURA (written as either 長倉 or 永倉), and Keisuke YAMANAMI as "effective (they were great masters of fencing)," it did not mention Soji OKITA, in which other materials referred to as a great master.
結城有無之助はかなり早期（見廻組時代）から新選組と親交を持っており、近藤や土方、長倉（永倉）や山南敬助の剣は「利いていた（優れた剣の遣い手だった）」と語っている一方で、他書では相当な遣い手と見られていた沖田総司については一切触れていない。