Tao of Shinsei

The Little Teacher
During the War Against Fu Leng, Hantei and the Great Clans gathered their entire armies against the goblins, ogres, and Oni of the Shadowlands horde, yet neither steel nor magic could match the dark power of Fu Leng. After each battle, Hantei's forces fell further and further back.

Finally, when his exhausted army has been preparing itself for the final battle on the Uchiman Fields, the Emperor was paid a visit by a small, modestly dressed man with his head shaved. He introduced himself as Shinsei, which means "New Way". The man swore to the Emperor that he could defeat Fu Leng's army, but the Emperor was unmoved. Hantei ordered for the small man to be taken away, however the guards that tried were easily defeated by Shinsei, who used no weapons whatsoever. Then he spoke again to the Emperor "Let me take seven warriors with me, with whom I shall journey to your brother. There I will stop the armies that are marching towards your lands."

Hantei, intrigued by this small man, talked with him through the entire night, and Shiba wrote down every word. The transcript of this conversation is known as the Tao of Shinsei. It can be still found in the Imperial Library, and copies are found in the libraries of every clan.

By dawn, Hantei was convinced of Shinsei's wisdom, and he decided to send his brothers and sisters on the journey. Shinsei just shook his head, saying "They have to be mortals, as fortune favors mortal men." Hantei realised the wisdom in Shinsei's words, and had his siblings each send one member of their respective clans with Shinsei. These samurai were the first Seven Thunders.

The Loss of the Tao
In 1132 the Tao of Shinsei was stolen by the Kolat attempting to protect it from the Shadow. Some of the Kolat planned to revise the Tao, changing bits to suit them, but others disagreed. Half of the Tao was given to Daidoji Rekai by a traitor among the Kolat, but the other half was taken by the Lying Darkness, and presumed lost. (3E p. 23)