advantage, only two-thirds of the army will be available.
Further, a lack of ammunition, of supplies, or of base, may lead to disaster.
The ruler who is ignorant of the designs of neighbouring princes, cannot treat with them.
He who is ignorant of mountain and forest, defile and marsh, cannot conduct a march.
He who does not employ a guide, cannot gain advantage from the ground.
Disguise your movements; await a favourable opportunity; divide or unite according to circumstance.
Let your attack be swift as the wind ; your march ordered like the forest;[1] your occupation devastating as fire. In defence, as a mountain rest firm; like darkness impenetrable to the enemy. Let your movements be swift as the lightning.
Let as many as possible take part in the plunder: distribute the profit from the produce of the country.
So he who understands the crooked and the straight way, conquers. That is the art of Battle Tactics.
According to the ancient books on war: the drum and bell are used, because the voice does not carry; the flag is used to assist the sight. The use of bell, drum, banner, and flag, is to attract the united attention of eye and ear.
When all are united, the strong are not left to go
- ↑ This passage was written on the standard of Takeda Shingen, one of Japan's most famous generals.
