Sun-tzu's: The Art of War
Sun-tzu’s
The Art
of War
By
George W. Alexander,
Ph.D.
The wise general
conducts a war of
Movement; he marches
with divine
Swiftness; his blows
fall like
Thunderbolts from the heavens.
Sun-tzu
Sun-tzu’s, The Art of
War, is a classic Chinese
text on military strategy that has proven to be a useful guide in the
practice of modern martial arts as well as contemporary corporate
strategy. The book itself contains a corpus of material on the art of
war and comprises a complete doctrine on the art of war and Chinese
military thought of the period.
By the 4th
century BC, known as the Warring States Period (403-221 BC) in Chinese
history, the scale of warfare in China had become much larger and more
decisive than in previous centuries. This is due to the fact that armies
were more organized, better-trained and lead by an elite corps of
professional warriors. Troop movements and tactical elements were
coordinated in battle by the use of gongs, drums and flags. The
coordinated combat elements of these armies were capable of
sophisticated maneuvers. Thus, the science of battlefield tactics came
into being in Asia.
During this period in
China large cities began to trade with one another and a period of
prosperity ensued. However, the concept of “sharing the wealth” was not
within the world-view of the ambitious warlords of the times. King
Wu Hsu, the king of the Chou clan defeated the Ch’in
ruler in 453 BC. After the defeat, “King Wu Hsu was handed
the severed head of the Ch’in ruler whereupon he used it as a
drinking cup”. This type of barbarous behavior was not an uncommon
occurrence in Chinese military history.
This period produced
specialists in warfare who could train armies, devise strategies and
lead them into battle. The most famous of these military strategists was
Sun-tzu (c. 350 BC). His definitive guide to strategy, The Art
of War, was the world’s first military classic. It is still
considered unparalleled in the annals of military strategy by many
experts. Numerous documents and manuals on warfare have survived to tell
us what military thinking and strategy was like during this period.
However, the most famous of these military texts was Sun-tzu Ping
Fa, or Sun-tzu’s Art of War. It contains thirteen chapters
that deal with various elements of combat and military engagement. They
are listed as follows:
1.Estimates
2.Waging War
3. Offensive Strategy
4.Dispositions
5.Posture of the Army
6.Void and Actuality
7.Maneuvering
8.The Nine Variables
9.On the March
10.Terrain
11.The Nine Variables of
Ground
12.Attack by Fire
13.Use of Spies
In chapter one,
entitled Estimates, Sun-tzu says war is of vital importance to
the state. Therefore, it must be studied thoroughly to insure its
survival. He recognized that it is a recurring fact of life [of the
state] and therefore it could be analyzed. Further, if warfare was
studied, and man could bring his intellectual capacity to bear, it could
mean absolute success in warfare. He says planning and strategy are the
keys to winning any battle and that all warfare is based on deception!
This implies that the highest strategy makes use of the element of
surprise. He believed that the enemy should be overcome without engaging
his army. In other words, “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy
without fighting. However, if war is inevitable, Sun-tzu suggests
that knowing the enemy is most important. He stresses the use of
reconnaissance and how to use terrain correctly. Sun-tzu says a
commander must judge the strengths and weaknesses of each side to the
conflict. He must first do a mathematical calculation of the respective
strengths of the armies and allow for the ability of the commanders.
The Art of War
states, “All warfare is based on deception. Therefore, when capable,
feign incapacity; when active, feign inactivity. When near, make it
appear that you are far away; when far away, that you are near. Offer
the enemy bait to lure him; feign disorder and strike him.”
He is often quoted as saying, “know yourself and know your enemy
and in a hundred battles you will win a hundred victories.”
In the first chapter,
when Sun-tzu talks about the artifices of deception such as when
you are near appear far away and when you are far away appear to be
near, for the modern martial artist this means the use of distance. By
positioning close to the opponent without him realizing the distance is
being closed on him a speedy attack can be launched. Sun-tzu also
mentions luring the opponent in and then striking him. The best way for
the martial artist to do this is to show a weakness in defense. This
entices the opponent to attack. Once the attack comes, a quick block and
counter can be applied to defeat the opponent.
Chapter Two, Waging War,
tells us that speed is essential. In other words, it is important to
take your opponent out quickly. The lesson Sun-tzu gives us is to
size up the opponent quickly and launch the attack. I have always told
my students to attack quickly with a relentless barrage of combinations
to varying level targets to both confuse and overwhelm the opponent.
Techniques can be used such as grabbing and punching or combinations
like back fist, reverse punch, front kick.
Chapter Three in Sun-tzu’s
classic is entitled Offensive Strategy. He repeats his often quoted
expression again in this chapter, Know your enemy and yourself and in
one hundred battles you will always win!” Further, he describes three
situations in which to attack or use [or not use] offensive
strategy. The three situations are one if you are stronger attack, two
if you are equal but have a good plan attack and three if you are weaker
evade the adversary.
The ancient Chinese
armies emphasized the primacy of offense. Their tactics included
attacking the flanks or the rear. The frontal assault was also used and
often made use of enraged troops. In Chapter four, Dispositions, Sun-tzu
talks about knowing when to attack or when to defend. For the modern
martial artist this means perceiving an opening in the opponent’s
defense and attacking. This can occur as a result of a mental or
physical opening. A mental opening can occur as a result of loss of
concentration or when the opponent experiences emotive self doubt. A
physical opening can occur when the opponent’s guard is down or when he
changes postures.
Sun-tzu
explains in Chapter Five, Posture of the Army, there is a certain
“momentum of attack” in battle. The modern martial artist can utilize
this “momentum of attack” by using combinations to overwhelm the
opponent such as front kick/upper punch or a sidekick/back fist
combination. In Chapter Six, Void & Actuality, Sun-tzu discusses
the concept of yin and yang with regard to the shifting
tide of battle. He mentions that there is a natural ebb and flow to the
tide of battle and that a commander can take advantage of this. For one
thing it is important to be flexible and have the ability to change
tactics at will. Thus, enabling you to conform to your opponent.
As an individual martial artist this means you can use the natural shift
in the tide of battle to your advantage by sensing this shift and using
it as an opportunity to launch an attack. Being flexible means being
able to change tactics quickly. If your opponent is strong, do not try
to match his strength but be yielding and evade. If he is weak overwhelm
him. If he is a puncher defeat him with kicks. If he is a kicker, get
inside his kicking range and defeat him with punches.
In Chapter Seven,
Maneuvering, Sun-tzu says, "He who knows the artifice of
diversion will be victorious." For the martial artist diversion means
feinting. Feinting is using a false technique to create an opening to
set up a devastating attack. Chapter Eight of the Art of War
is entitled The Nine Variables. In this chapter Sun-tzu describes
certain universal truths in combat. He mentions preparedness as being
paramount. For the modern martial artist this equates to not being
caught off guard. A constant vigilance and monitoring of your opponent
along with a seriousness of purpose are the keys to preparedness. Other
universal truths include, “Do not attack recklessly”, choosing the right
psychological moment to attack and to anticipate the adversaries attack.
Chapter Nine, On the
March, explains the ability to move troops quickly from one location to
another and equates rapid troop movements to the element of surprise and
Sun-tzu’s comment that “Speed is the essence of war.” Closing the
gap on an opponent quickly by using footwork such as sliding, skipping
or stepping can make use of the element of surprise and can make the
difference in defeating an adversary. Additionally, evasion and pivoting
away from an attack can mean survival and the ability to launch an
effective counterattack.
Chapter Ten of Sun-tzu’s
classic text discusses terrain. The main ideas with regard to terrain
are one being familiar with the terrain and two how to make use of it.
In an individual self-defense situation the concept of keeping your back
to a wall will put you in a more advantageous position rather than being
surrounded by a group of attackers. Further, there is always a superior
position in a room. This means that tactically you can take advantage of
obstacles located in a room such as chairs, etc.
Chapter 11 of Sun-tzu’s
treatise is entitled The Nine Variables of Ground. In this chapter
Sun-tzu reiterates that "Speed is the essence of war”. He mentions
that by being able to launch a swift attack you can take advantage of
adversary whom is not prepared. Likewise, in individual combat speed is
a valuable asset in making techniques effective. In addition, Sun-tzu
details a deception by saying "pretend to be shy as a maiden" and then
attack when the enemy is taken in by this ruse.
Chapter Twelve is called
Attack by Fire. It discusses the use of fire to burn provisions or
troops. However, with regard to individual combat it means to attack
vital points. Vital points are sensitive areas located on the human
body. They are more susceptible to an attack than other areas of the
body. Most vital points are located on the centerline of the body and
can be activated by percussion, vibration or pressure (see Bubishi
Martial Art Spirit by Alexander & Penland, Yamazato
Publications for a more detailed discussion). Vital points such as the
groin, solar plexus, throat, carotid, temple and the base of the skull
are areas that will produce a devastating effect if struck correctly.
This makes them preferred targets in individual combat.
Finally, Chapter
thirteen, Use of Spies, advocates the practice of gathering intelligence
information about your opponent. Remember Sun-tzu’s quotation
about knowing your opponent. This is as valuable in individual combat as
it is in engagements between warring armies.
King Ho Lu
recognized Sun-tzu’s genius and ability as a commander. He
ultimately made him a General. Sun-tzu is said to have defeated
the powerful state of Ch’u to the west and then made
encroachments on the kingdoms to north. Sun-tzu’s classic, The Art of
War, has been studied in the orient for centuries and it is now a
source of inspiration for the modern martial artist. Remember, "the
highest strategy is to defeat your enemy without fighting. If you must
fight, deception is the artifice of war.”