Tsujigiri
Waiting at the Crossroads
The Art of War – Sun Tzu
The oldest surviving military text in the world, The Art of War remains a set book at military academies and martial arts schools 2500 years after it was first written.
It’s promise to the avid student is to provide you with the tools that you need to become a great general and a truly effective human being.
The book itself contains the writings of Sun Tzu, a Chinese general who lived roughly 2500 years ago and was amongst the foremost of the military minds of his time, and perhaps many following years.
Whilst offering succinct advice which is applicable in both military strategy and personal development, the general direction of The Art of War is often misinterpreted.
On a superficial level The Art of War offers clear advice on planning and executing any number of very effective military campaigns in different conditions. It is often mistaken as being a consummate book about winning battles, however the true thrust of Sun Tzu’s philosophies and strategies is to with the war without fighting.
The general who can win a war without fighting, thus saving many lives may never be recognised and honoured for his deeds, yet he is by far a better general than one who uses violence and open conflict to attain his goals.
The quest for a deep understanding of the human condition, and of all human interaction is the key to understanding this book. If the general, or indeed the martial artist can make a friend of an enemy without a blow having been struck, then he has understood this book.
In literary style Sun Tzu’s work is of the same school as Kuan Tsu, Liu t’ Ao and the Yuah Yu and it may have been produced at the hand of a private scholar living around the transition between the ‘Spring and Autumn’ and the ‘Warring States’ period.
Another point of note regarding the manual is that there appears to have been several ‘Sun Tzus’ who have lived and been involved with the book following the days of it’s original author, there is even evidence that parts of the manuscript existed as early as 5000BCE.
It thus becomes a very difficult if not impossible task to reconstruct or historically examine the life of Sun Tzu with any level of accuracy and conciseness.
As a martial arts related book, this work may be considered essential reading for martial arts students who are serious about understanding the history of their art. There is probably no martial art in the world today that hasn’t been influenced by The Art of War.
As a guide to personal strategy for competition, self defence or combat this is again an essential text and a good place to begin your understanding of strategy.
If you are interested in obtaining a copy of The Art of War you can order one from the following link:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0385292163/104-8698920-2572700
The oldest surviving military text in the world, The Art of War remains a set book at military academies and martial arts schools 2500 years after it was first written.
It’s promise to the avid student is to provide you with the tools that you need to become a great general and a truly effective human being.
The book itself contains the writings of Sun Tzu, a Chinese general who lived roughly 2500 years ago and was amongst the foremost of the military minds of his time, and perhaps many following years.
Whilst offering succinct advice which is applicable in both military strategy and personal development, the general direction of The Art of War is often misinterpreted.
On a superficial level The Art of War offers clear advice on planning and executing any number of very effective military campaigns in different conditions. It is often mistaken as being a consummate book about winning battles, however the true thrust of Sun Tzu’s philosophies and strategies is to with the war without fighting.
The general who can win a war without fighting, thus saving many lives may never be recognised and honoured for his deeds, yet he is by far a better general than one who uses violence and open conflict to attain his goals.
The quest for a deep understanding of the human condition, and of all human interaction is the key to understanding this book. If the general, or indeed the martial artist can make a friend of an enemy without a blow having been struck, then he has understood this book.
In literary style Sun Tzu’s work is of the same school as Kuan Tsu, Liu t’ Ao and the Yuah Yu and it may have been produced at the hand of a private scholar living around the transition between the ‘Spring and Autumn’ and the ‘Warring States’ period.
Another point of note regarding the manual is that there appears to have been several ‘Sun Tzus’ who have lived and been involved with the book following the days of it’s original author, there is even evidence that parts of the manuscript existed as early as 5000BCE.
It thus becomes a very difficult if not impossible task to reconstruct or historically examine the life of Sun Tzu with any level of accuracy and conciseness.
As a martial arts related book, this work may be considered essential reading for martial arts students who are serious about understanding the history of their art. There is probably no martial art in the world today that hasn’t been influenced by The Art of War.
As a guide to personal strategy for competition, self defence or combat this is again an essential text and a good place to begin your understanding of strategy.
If you are interested in obtaining a copy of The Art of War you can order one from the following link:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0385292163/104-8698920-2572700
