The secret agreement draft, also known as the Unsigned Draft Agreement About the Diamond Mines, is an unsigned legal document discovered among historical records related to the Battle of the Snow Plains. This document outlines terms that seemingly transfer ownership of the diamond mines to Shishuro Amane and/or their descendants in exchange for unspecified assistance during the battle. The absence of signatures, seals, or chops indicates that it was never ratified or officially agreed upon, raising questions about its legitimacy.
Shiba Midori presented the draft during court proceedings after retrieving it from a sealed jar mentioned in a dream by Akoto Akihito. The draft resembles a document previously introduced by Bayushi Monban but differs significantly in its terms regarding the diamond mines, notably favoring the Shosuro family instead of referencing "the least of the Bayushi." This revelation has contributed to ongoing legal discourse regarding ownership of the mines.
Ikoma Ichigo further examined the draft, highlighting that it lacks an Imperial House seal, which is essential for the authenticity of land transfer documents in Rokugan. The handwriting of the draft differs from that of the signed version, suggesting it was likely created at a different time or on reused parchment. During court proceedings, Ikoma Ichigo emphasized the draft's lack of formal authentication, asserting it appeared to be a non-final version of a legal agreement. The draft was discovered in a sealed container alongside other items, including a jar stopper and pottery fragments, and testimony about its provenance stated that it had been found unaltered for several hundred years. Its age and condition have become significant in the ongoing dispute regarding the diamond mines, particularly in relation to its authenticity and the legal arguments presented in court.
Current developments indicate that the draft's examination has intensified scrutiny over its implications, particularly concerning the Shosuro family's claim to the diamond mines and the legal ramifications of its lack of formal authentication.