However, according to Nobori NAKAJIMA who followed Toshizo up to Hakodate War, at the time of Hakodate War "he was mild and was admired by his men as if he was their mother."
しかし、箱館戦争にまで従った新選組隊士中島登によれば、箱館戦争当時には「温和で、母のように慕われていた」という。