He was widely known by the common name of 'Sakon SHIMA', and he was respected so much that it was said that 'Jibusho (Mitsunari) had two valuable things: Sakon SHIMA and Sawayama-jo castle' (his name is noted as 'Sakon (SHIMA)' in this section unless otherwise specified).
通称である「島左近（しまさこん）」の名で一般に広く知られ、「治部少（三成）に過ぎたるものが二つあり島の左近と佐和山の城」と謳われるほどの人物であった（本項目でも、特に断りが無い限りは「（島）左近」と表記する）。