There is also a story that he was worried about Kondo and, up until his death, he repeatedly asked, 'I am wondering how the master (Kondo) has been. Didn't we receive a letter from him?'
死の間際まで「（近藤）先生はどうされたのでしょうね、お便りは来ませんか？」と、師を気遣う言葉を幾度となく口にしたとも伝えられている。