Seven Books of Martial Arts (Illustrated Edition)

Zuo Zhuan says: "e; The important matters of the country lie in the sacrifice and the army."e; War and army building have been valued by the rulers of successive dynasties. In order to meet the needs of military struggle, teaching, and martial arts examinations at that time, in the third year of Yuanfeng (1080), Song Shenzong ordered Guozi Supervisor Si Ye Zhu Fu and martial arts doctor He Qufei to select and compile military books. They selected seven military books with 25 volumes from more than 340 ancient Chinese military books that were popular at the time, including Sun Tzu's Art of War, Wu Zi's Art of War, Sima Method, Sanlue of Huang Shigong, Wei Liaozi, Six Taoist, Tang Taizong Questions Li Weigong. As martial arts classics, they are designated as must-read textbooks in martial arts. This is the famous Seven Books of Martial Arts. The revision and promulgation of the Seven Books of Martial Arts was a contribution of the Northern Song Dynasty court to the construction of military theory. It expounded a series of military strategic thinking and tactical principles, and condensed the insights of the ancient Chinese people on the understanding of war. No matter in military theory or in war practice, it has had a profound impact on later generations and even the world. In the Southern Song Dynasty, Emperor Gaozong also designated the Seven Books of Martial Arts as the content of the general selection examination. Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang advocated "e;the descendants of military officers, teach and read martial arts"e;. For the urgent need of military struggle and teaching, he ordered the Ministry of War to engrave the Seven Books of Martial Arts and distribute them to relevant officials and senior generals and their descendants for learning. Since the 17th century, many reprints, translations and annotations have appeared in Japan. Sun Tzu's Art of War and Wu Zi's Art of War were more widely spread in Europe, Asia, and the United States. It is not only the spiritual wealth of the Chinese nation, but also the common spiritual wealth of the people of the world. In this publication, scholars and experts in ancient literature are invited to comment and translate the entire book of the Seven Books of Martial Arts, with abbreviated annotations and simplified translations, to assist in reading the original text. I hope that more readers can read and understand the Seven Books of Martial Arts and grasp the ideological connotation and value of Chinese Military Books.