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36 War Strategies of Ancient China
Notes on the Text
The original text of
The Secret Art of War, is rather short, (138 Chinese characters). It merely
names each strategy followed by a brief explanation. The book was divided into
six categories of six strategies each. The six categories are said to correspond
to six situations. They are; Stratagems when in a superior position; Stratagems
for confrontation; Stratagems for attack; Stratagems for confused situations;
Stratagems for gaining ground; and Stratagems for desperate situations. This
division is based on the hexagrams of the I-Ching (A hexagram being a grouping
of six broken or unbroken lines). In addition, the explanation of each strategy
is likewise said to be based on the interpretation of each hexagram as found in
the I-Ching. Initially all this seemed to imply an almost scientific approach,
but on closer examination I found the structure flawed. My guess is that
elements of I-Ching numerology were added at some time merely to create an aura
of mystery and antiquity, (a not uncommon practise among publishers during the
Ming and Ching dynasties). Since the six subtitles did little to improve
understanding, I did not use them in compiling the present text, but kept to the
original sequence of strategies.
I used anecdotes
primarily from both China's and Japan's 'Warring States' eras, since, though
separated by more than a thousand years, those eras most closely reflected the
tone of the strategies. My apologies to serious scholars for I rewrote the
explanations and historical anecdotes so that they would be clearer to western
readers. Any mistakes and errors are my own. I also added opening quotes from
other Oriental works on strategy, and a summary. The resultant manuscript is not
a direct translation, nor a list of historical facts, but rather a retelling of
Chinese folklore, or more specifically military lore. Research notes are
included in the endnotes for those interested in consulting the sources.
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