Mantis House Tenets

I. Honor- True honor means evading all costs toward disgrace. The warrior must bear the unbearable.
Meditate every morning before leaving for battle on one-hundred swords cutting apart your body, and fire immolating your bones.
Pain must become senseless but retain its reason. Fear no blow, for there is no wind that a true mantis cannot dance through.
You are the bladed wind, and from your first night to your last day, you will carry the honor of the Mantis Clan.
Respect your enemy and return to him honor by granting him death. Retain your lost honor by granting yourself death.

II. Loyalty- Take no action that disgraces your Daiymo or your clan.
If something is asked of you from the Daiymo or any of his blood, do so with honor.
Take care of all your clan members and they will return the same, they are your family,
you must provide for them with both heart and integrity.
Be friendly toward the elemental walkers, for they mean you no harm, and be kind to the hidden people, for they are of good fortune.
Your loyalty will carry with you until you enter your grave. Only then will you be received by the eight million gods.

III. Reckless Courage- You must walk with fire in your heart. Your weapon will breath that fire like the dragons.
Only a fool will try and grasp that fire, burning his hands. Your temper must be kept in a place of wisdom and perseverance,
but the fire must spread. Defeat many ogres and demons. Defeat many korubakuru. Defeat any who raises his arms against you.
Test your steel often against others, but do not become wild in your rage. Your sword is your captive, you are not captive to it.
For those who cannot best restraint have already lost the battle.

IV. Benevolence- The battle does not walk home. Only the warrior.
You must retain manner and order in your home and in the home of others.
Always bow to your company. Remove your shoes before entering a house.
Sit when you eat. Eat loudly during a meal that is offered to you.
Do not speak out of turn, do not raise your voice. Silence your discontent at all times.
Silence your women if they speak out of turn. Silence is the finest manner.
Offer your wisdom only when someone asks for it. Do what is asked of you and help in any way you can.
Laziness is not tolerated. The warrior will also show mercy. Mercy for elders and mercy for children.
Mercy for those who plead it, but your mercy must not be an open house.
Conserve your forgiveness for yourself before others.

V. Honesty- A warrior of true caliber does not lie.
A mantis has no lies to speak, it's claws are revealed to all the world to see.
Wisdom shows that lies cost more lives than one true sword. Your words must be tangible like the steel you carry,
for if you cannot hold your words as truth, it is like being caught in the battlefield without a weapon.
Be sincere in all you do, and the eight million gods will favor your spirit.

VI. Rectitude- Protect your honor and your clan's honor.
If you are defeated, you can retain yourself with swift rectitude.
Do not fall into hatred, do not climb toward righteousness.
Stay true to the path, and defeat first yourself before your enemy.
Above all things, your mind must be the cleanest of waters.
Let nothing poison it and persevere toward ascending your spirit to a higher level of integrity.
With a stronger soul, a stronger house is made for you.

Meditate on these tenants and their instructions daily
and you will proceed down the right path to perfect your spirit
and to truly earn your place in the Mantis Clan.