The Way of Shinsei

The Way of Shinsei Cover

The Way of Shinsei was the eleventh of the clan books, and the first source book which details the Brotherhood of Shinsei, his deeds, history, and customs, in the Legend of the Five Rings roleplaying game, and the eleventh in the Way of the Clan series. It was published in 2000.

Credits

• Written by Wolfgang Baur, Shawn Carman, Kenyon Daniels, Craig Folsom, Ramon Pena, Jeanne Kalvar, Seth Mason, Rick Raven, John R. Phythyon Jr., Kevin Sanborn, Ross Isaacs, and Rich Wulf

• Additional material by Patrick Kapera, Ree Soesbee, and John Wick

• Game System by David Williams and John Wick

• Cover Artwork: Cris Dornaus
• Interior Artwork: Cris Dornaus, Mark Evans, Carl Frank, Zach Howard, Garry McKee, Erik Polak, Mike Sellers
• Artwork Prepress: Brendon Goodyear
• Art Director: Jim Pinto

• Line Editor: D.J. Trindle
• Editing: Janice Sellers, D.J. Trindle
• Interior Layout: Brendon Goodyear and Steve Hough

Table of Contents

Liberation (page 4)

• Fiction about a samurai's retirement as monk of the Brotherhood of Shinsei.

Chapter One: The Contemplative Monk (page 8)

Eisai and Takao Training

• Fiction "Crab on the Wall", with Hida Tamura.
• Fiction with Matsu Daimyo Matsu Benkei
• Fiction "Homecoming", with Master Benzo and Goro
• Fiction "Otaku and the Monk", with the monk Toba and a Utaku Battle Maiden

Chapter Two: The Inner Way (page 16)

• The Inner Way
  • History
  • Shinsei's Teachings
  • Alternate Teachings
  • Organization
  • Membership
  • The Monastic Life
  • Roleplaying a Monk
  • Monks and Magic
• Enlightenment

Meditation

Koans

• Types of Monks
  • The Monks of Rokugan
• The Tao of Shinsei
  • The Secret of the Tao
  • Sects of the Brotherhood
    • Shinmaki
    • Lotus
    • Questioners
    • Shintao
    • Yamabushi
    • Sohei
  • Temples of the Brotherhood
    • The Four Temples
    • The Temple of Osano-Wo
    • Shrine of the Seven Thunders
    • Temple of the Seven Fortunes
    • Temple of Kaimetsu-uo
    • Shinmaki
  • History of the Brotherhood
    • the War Against Fu Leng
    • Destruction of the Tao
    • Battle of Thunder Plain
    • The Gozoku
• The History of the Monastic System
  • Letter of Akodo Toturi about the teachings of Keya Xi and his tale about Sakura
  • The Way and the Seven Fortunes

Chapter Three: Character (page 46)

Retirement of a samurai

• New Skills
  • Atemi
  • Divination
  • Escape
  • Evasion
  • Fasting
  • Know the School
  • Kokyu
  • Sensei
  • Zanji
• New Advantages
  • Brink of Enlightenment
  • Clan Background
  • Elemental Harmony
  • Sage
  • Shinsei's Servant
  • Student of Water
  • Tutor
• New Disadvantages
  • Cast Out
  • Disbeliever
  • Forced Retirement
  • Gossip
  • Touch of the Void
  • Wrath of the Kami
• Creating a Monk Character
• Monk School Archetypes
  • The Four Temples
  • The Temple of the Seven Fortunes
  • Shrine of the Seven Thunders
  • Temple of Osano-Wo
• What are Kiho?
• Kiho
  • Earth Kiho
  • Water Kiho
  • Fire Kiho
  • Air Kiho
  • Void Kiho
• Retirement

Chapter Four: Who's Who (page 68)

Hanoshi

• Who's Who Among the Monks
  • Suana
  • Eisai

Ancestor Tsukino

Ancestor Hido

• • Ikudaiu
  • Takao
  • Tetsuya

Ancestor Mizumoto

Ancestor Amiku

• • Koichi
  • Togashi Jodome
  • Hitoshi
  • Hanoshi

Kazemu

• • Hsi Tsu

Chapter Five: Character Templates (page 84)

• Urban Philosopher
• Lost Soul
• Enlightened Acolyte
• Warrior Monk

Appendices (page 96)

Master Benzo and his student Goro

• Appendix I: The Fall of Shihoden Temple
  • Yoma no Oni
• Appendix II: Monk's in Rokugan Society
• Appendix III: Temples of the Empire
  • The Hall of Ancestors
  • Heaven's Wisdom Temple
  • Shinden Yaruki Jukko
  • The Temple to the Kami
  • The Temple of the Five Elements
  • The Temple of the Fortunes' Wrath
  • The Temple of Osano-Wo
  • The Temple of the Sun Goddess
• Appendix IV: L5R CCG Monk Decks