At that time, there were few graduated Kodokan judoka. Maeda and Satake were the top graduated professors at Waseda University, both "sandan" (3rd "dan"), along with Matsuhiro Ritaro ("nidan" or 2nd "dan") and six other "shodan" (1st "dan"). Kyuzo Mifune registered at the Kodokan in 1903 and attracted the attention of Maeda, who commented, "you are strong and competent, therefore, you will certainly leave your mark in the Kodokan ..." Mifune went to learn under Sakujiro Yokoyama and later, already a celebrated judoka, Mifune said that Maeda's words were a great incentive, as he regarded Maeda with the greatest admiration, even though Yokoyama was his "sensei" (instructor).