In the early Edo period, busho (Japanese military commanders) who fought in Sekigahara and witnessed Shima told young samurai about the clothes of Shima, but their memories of his measurements, jinbaori (sleeveless campaign jacket worn over armor) and armor differed, and it is said that this was because their memories were hazy due to the horrible appearance of Shima.
江戸初期、筑前福岡城において関が原に出陣し島を目撃した武将達が島の服装について若侍相手に語り合ったが、物指、陣羽織、具足に至るまでそれぞれの記憶が違い、これは島のあまりの恐ろしさの故に記憶が定かではなかったためとしている。